Eager to escape, she ran through the tunnels, not knowing she was heading the wrong direction. Unfortunately, this area was unmapped, and quite dangerous. The Moora Mystery: What Happened When a Girl Stepped into the Moor 2,500 Years Ago? Even if it's just a myth, there's no denying that the other tales of the catacombs are creepy enough to keep anyone out Or so one would think. Everyone wanted to see where poor Masha had met her end. Stop by the blog every day this month for true tales of the unquiet dead. No one is exactly sure how she died, but it could have been dehydration or hypothermia. After the incident, Lata said that the group had continued to explore the catacombs, and that they would sometimes go down there for days at a time. This goes to show that the Odessa catacombs can be very grim. All rights reserved. It can be really dangerous," he wrote, adding "here are some new pictures of our catacombs. A massive search effort was launched but they werent able to find her among the 2,500 kilometers of often unmapped tunnels. The group ventured deep inside and soon enough they got lost. Masha went out with a large group of friends to celebrate and probably get drunk. Based on what was later found, it is believed that Masha stumbled around in the catacombs for at least three days, starving, thirsty, alone, and in the dark. For those interested in exploring the catacombs, with less risk, you can hire a professional to take you down. [Online] Available at: https://irishurbanexplorations.wordpress.com/2014/05/07/odessa-catacombs-day-1-odessa-ukraine/, Author Unknown. 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But some tourism still relates to them. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. When I was a teenager I was a tour guide at a local cave and at the end of the day someone had to walk to the back of the cave (45 minutes one way!) The largest catacomb system in the world. Masha had traveled several miles into the catacombs. The image, it's said, is of a girl who went missing in the catacombs of Odessa, Ukraine a girl, it's said, named Masha or Mashenka, who went down into the twisting tunnels beneath the city in which she lived for a party, but got lost while she was down there. We believe it is just a practical joke and the corpse is fake." Excavation of the Maltese Catacombs of St. Agatha Revealed Some of the Finest 12th and 15th century Frescos in Europe! [1] Should someone get lost in the catacombs (as happens every couple of years), these groups put aside their differences and mount large search expeditions. They were used as a source of cheap construction materials. It took a full two years before the police were able to locate her body and retrieve it from the catacombs. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Odessa, just outside of Ukraine's capital, Kiev, is home to one of the largest catacombs in the entire world. The body is real though, it belonged to a man 40 to 60 years, who was killed in the catacombs. On January 1st 2005, a young Ukranian teenage girl named Masha put on her make-up, packed up some champagne, and headed out for her New Years Eve nights party. Lets unravel the story of these vast catacombs that lie untouched beneath one of Ukraines largest towns. Hiding in the catacombs for as much as 13 months, literally below the noses and feet of the Nazis above, the rebels waited for a chance to strike or relay information. Today there is an entire Ukrainian subculture of catacomb explorers with dozens of semiprofessional groups, often quite competitive, exploring the catacombs. It wasnt until six months later that Masha was found. Masha always struck me as an urban legend. Enjoy.". The Odessa Catacombs and the Legend of Masha, The Fiery Darvaza Gas Crater The Scare Chamber, The Torture and Murder of Kelly Anne Bates, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon, Practicing Cannibalism | The Scare Chamber, Alexandra Wiwcharuk: The Girl in Saskatoon | The Scare Chamber, David Parker Ray and his Toy Box of Torture, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. On rare occasions these bodies are almost perfectly mummified, freeze dried by the cold, dry air of the tunnels. There are stories of industrious winemakers and mushroom growers who go down there regularly to leave their product to age or grow, confident no one will find it and interfere. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Or maybe they were looking for bodies. By signing up to the VICE newsletter you agree to receive electronic communications from VICE that may sometimes include advertisements or sponsored content. See. Ukraine. The group snapped a photo, in which three young boys pose with the body as if they have just identified it. On Wikipedia, catacombs are described as man-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Over the years there have been numerous reports of people venturing into the catacombs, getting lost, and eventually dying of dehydration never to be seen again. The sticking point of this famous story is that no one is sure if it really happened. The complete length of these catacombs is more than half of the width of the North American continent. During the Middle Ages, exorcisms were commonplace to rid individuals of supposed demonic possession. Go to the left, go to the right, Youll only meet the darkness of the night, Another poem tells of the loneliness inside the tunnels: Sing not, oh nightingale, against my cell, and dont interrupt my prayer, oh, nightingale.. Kostya Pugovkin, who identified himself as a veteran of Ukraine's Antiterrorist Operation based in Odessa, claims to be the one who personally hefted the body in that photograph out of the depths. Part of the catacomb network, Odessa, Ukraine . [6], Since the beginning of the 21st century limestone mining has continued in the mines located in Dofinovka, Byldynka, and "Fomina balka" near Odesa. Many regions (such as the notorious 'K-29' network) remain largely unexplored to this day. It was a foggy night with temperatures hovering around freezing. The kids began to drink, and soon enough Mashabecame drunk. Masha and a group of friends thought it would be fun to go out, party, and celebrate at the Stone Mines. More photos surfaced, including additional shots of the tunnels and even bones. dinnington high school alumni. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. It is dedicated to the partisan effort of the World War II and it is filled with relics of the period, almost all of which were found within the catacombs over the years. Their goal was to explore the catacombs and document the history of the partisan movement. A large portion of these tunnels due to the sheer extent and the number of corridors remains completely unexplored. The labyrinths are also unique by being largely unexplored and un-commercialized. The Tiara of Saitaphernes is certainly one of these priceless objects and its story is long and surprising. Shortly after this the mapping of a huge unexplored area of the catacombs known as K-29 was begun. Maybe her path forked a few times, and she lost track of the pattern. Some say this was even done maliciously. If she was lucky, she died quickly from the cold . There are still hundreds of kilometers of tunnels that no one has been able to see all of we can only speculate about what kind of gruesome secrets still dwell deep within. The tunnels have been cited as the reason why such a subway system has never been built in Odesa. Her friends never were able to find her, and the police saw neither hide nor hair of her, as they didn't want to venture into the mysterious catacombs. Odessa Catacombs: Day 1 Odessa, Ukraine. Stories say that an ancient Roman glassmaker had the technology to create a flexible glass, vitrium flexile, but a certain emperor decided the invention should not be. But one Ukrainian town stands out Odessa. Every story is true, and each one is a real place you can visit. The rumors said it was deep underground, but from what they had seen, the body appeared to be fresh. An entrance to the Odessa catacombs is located at 4632'33.8N 3038'06.0E. Most of the diggers I talked to believed that he actually faked the whole thing and started a new life somewhere, but still look out for anything related to him below. She quickly became separated from her party, and unable to find her way back. She couldn't have lasted more than a week. Some proof for the long existence of this myth are the countless graffiti ships that can be spotted in the tunnels. According to Pugovkin, someone else had vanished in 2004: Janis Stendzenieks, the son of a newspaper magnate named Armand Stendzenieks. It is in these catacombs that we get the legend of Masha, who ventured inside and got lost. In September 1995, in honor of the 200th anniversary of Odessa, the longest underground journey in the catacombs was recorded. The group of friends, he wrote, had all stayed there overnight, then left the next morning, but abandoned Masha, either accidentally or on purpose, and she was unable to find her way out. Whether that person is an innocent partygoer, a Satanist, or a Ukrainian drunk who took a few steps too many into the darkness, it sends imaginations soaring because it conjures the exact kind of nightmarish, lonely death everyone fears the most. Atlas Obscura. ( gorinov /Adobe Stock). We dare you. One interesting aspect of the tunnels is the fact that they are subject to a variety of highly imaginative urban legends. The remaining catacombs (3-5%) are either natural cavities or were excavated for other purposes such as sewerage. And the size is further reflected in the fact that the entirety of the catacombs has never been explored. The earliest of the graffiti dates to the 18th century. However, professionals can be hired at the cost of 250 hryvnia per person, depending on the time spent underground, the complexity and length of the route, the number of tourists, and options for delivery to the site entrance to the underground area. Any chamber used as a burial place is a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman Empire. They were a popular location for murderers to hide bodies, and on at least three occasions, were a location where area kids had ventured inside, never to be seen again. The biggest and most serious efforts were made by a club specifically created for the purpose Poisk ( ). After the communists came to power, this man hid both himself and the golden Titanic in the catacombs below, never to be discovered. ( onyx124 /Adobe Stock). The officials really dont care who goes down there, nor would they be able to monitor the catacombs since they are mind-bendingly enormous. Based on where she was found it is believed Masha spent at least three days wandering in the freezing cold and pitch black before dying of dehydration. list of hair dyes that contain metallic salts; eglin afb housing floor plans. After a while, the group was quite intoxicated, Masha included. Her partially mummified body was discovered two years later by amateur explorers. Imagine a glass you can bend and then watch it return to its original form. ", "That's why I really beg you not to try to walk underground in Odessa itself. The Odessa Catacombs underwent further construction through the vagrants' illegal widening and creation of even more tunnel systems. No way that picture was faked. A vast country that prides itself on a history rich with heroes and artists. Masha story is an urban legend. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Offer subject to change without notice. Katakomby. There's also evidence that they were used for the summary executions of Nazi soldiers. Pearl did interview another man, Kostya Pugovkin, who claimed to have dragged the corpse in the photograph up and to a police station in the hope of getting a reward; Pugovkin stated that he was told by others that the dead person was "a Satanist who got lost". Many of the tunnels have been filled, either with earth or concrete, however the majority remain open and unmapped. The date of the earliest catacombs in Odessa is difficult to determine (as they were all widened at a later date), but they likely date back to the 1600s, if not farther. After a short time, they called off the search, saying that Masha would have to find her own way out, it wasnt safe for them to look for her any longer. In WWII, Soviet partisans hid in the Odessa Catacombs, which stretch for thousands of miles below the city. In hopes to counter the threat of the partisans, Romanian Axis troops attempted to seal several tunnel exits, as well as tossing poison gas into the tunnels. [citation needed] Perhaps the most famous story dates back to claims made in 2009 by Ukrainian catacombs explorer Eugene Lata. Instead, he claims they were looking for the body of Janis Stendzenieks, the son of a local newspaper magnate. -, Press J to jump to the feed. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, The Green Children of Woolpit: Legendary Visitors from Another World, Medieval Sea Monster Was Likely a Whale, New Research Reveals, Adventist Adventurer Claimed to Have Found Ark of the Covenant Beneath Crucifixion Site, Iron Age Comb Made from Human Skull Discovered Near Cambridge, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. Her parents called the authorities who went to the site and began to search. The next-largest network of catacombs is in Paris, and that's only one-fifth the length of Odessa's. Are the Misty Peaks of the Azores Remnants of the Legendary Atlantis? He had gotten lost, and there was a reward offered to anyone who could find the young man. I used to go caving for fun and turning off your lights for a minute when you're with friends is kind of neat but walking out of a cave alone with that absolute blackness behind you nope nope nope. Here they lived slept, cooked, organized raids, and fought. Since the organization is in charge of fielding inquiries about the Catacombs it "probably prefers to stay out of this business, just as I do," Lata theorized. Atlas Obscura. Is it easy to get access to the catacombs? Beneath the city of Odessa in the Ukraine lies a 2,500KM (approx 1,550mi) labyrinthine maze of tunnels, a little longer than the entire Pacific coastline of the continuous United States (map of the catacombs). But being murdered and having your body dumped in the catacombs is a vacation compared to what is rumored to have happened to Masha. Of course parents saying not to do something usually encourages kids to do that very thing. I hope it's fake - but, unless that picture was fake, someone died the nightmarish way attributed to Masha. As I said earlier, a lot of people lost and even . The catacombs are not easy to navigate, especially when you're drunk like Masha might have been that night. [4]Limestone was cut using saws, and mining became so intensive that by the second half of the 19th century, the extensive network of catacombs created many inconveniences to the city. Always pursuing my passions for writing, history and literature, I strive to deliver a thrilling and captivating read that touches upon history's most Read More. Think of the Triangle. Today, there are dozens of semi-professional catacomb explorer groups that venture into the Odessa catacombs. 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Just one look at the maps will show you exactly why the Odessa catacombs were never fully explored the sheer size prevents it. Pacific coastline of the continuous United States. Local here (finally, after years of reading, something got me to register). Beneath its streets, under the slowly unraveling everyday lives of its citizens, lies a sprawling network of tunnels and catacombs, an enigmatic web of dark corridors that built up a reputation of macabre proportions. The eerie burnt-out remains of a prominent building where 30 protestors lost their lives. Creepy stories about the Odessa catacombs range fromdead bodies found in catacombs, topeople who have gotten lost in catacombs and were never seen again. There are even tales of Nazi executionsand cultists, not to mention a ghost story or two; however, the most famous of thecatacomb legends is probably that of agirl named Masha, who went into the maze of passagesand wasn't found until years later. Unfortunately, what they often find inside is far more grim than that. There are reasons why the Odessa catacombs are so shrouded in enigma and macabre reputation -many of those who ventured deep below have never come out. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. In 2011, a body was found in the catacombs that had been dead for several months. Since its creation, it has expanded understanding of the catacombs, and provided information to expand mapping of the tunnels. [Online] Available at: http://www.the13thfloor.tv/2017/04/11/183661/, Pronin, K. . But he [Pugovkin] claims that when Armand Stendzenieks ordered a DNA test, it wasn't a match. We dare you. But one thing that this city of one million citizens hides, and a fact that many who visit it are totally unaware of, are the sprawling catacombs beneath its streets. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. masha who died in the catacombs; employee experience software market size; June 21, 2022; by . Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The Odessa catacombs are a very complicated system of natural tunnels, mines, bunkers, and caves that are predominantly a result of mining - with the earliest excavations beginning in the 19th century. These catacombs are the result of stone mining, particularly coquina (a soft limestone of broken shells), and consist of a network of basements, bunkers, drainage tunnels and storm drains. Before long, the other teens gave up looking for her and left, figuring she'd already gotten out, or would get out on her own soon. The Stone Mines, part of the Odessa Catacombs, were closed and sealed off in 1917. The partial mummification made for a successful identification of the victim and the autopsy revealed that she died from dehydration three days after getting lost. [Online] Available at: https://greentourua.com/the-lost-world-of-odessa-catacombs/, Various. I saw this video and did some research on it, ultimately deeming it to be a hoax. Lists of true accounts of real people who survived unfathomable situations and depictions of fights for survival in film, TV, video games, and other media. It does seem to be a urban legend but it's still creepy as hell! It took two years before the police were able to locate her body and retrieve it from the catacombs. Nov 7, 2017 Kate Bulo. They go on multi-day underground treks, known as expeditions, to document and map the system. All photos by Wikimedia Commons user . Mauritius Square, Ukraine: What is this Giant Crab-like Earthworks? The Odesa Catacombs are a labyrinth-like network of tunnels (subterranean cavities) located under the city of Odesa and its outskirts in Ukraine, that are mostly (over 90%) the result of stone mining, particularly coquina. Even after the "Masha," episode, Lata continued to explore the catacombs. After 73 days of vicious fighting, the town fell and was annexed to become a part of newly formed Transnistria Governorate under Romanian administration. 2017. She was headed into the Odessa catacombs, the 2,500 kilometers of dark rocky tunnels which run underneath the city. If it was too warm to freeze, and she was exerting herself trying to survive, dehydration would have become severe in perhaps only two days before the symptoms became debilitating. One of the teens was a girl named Masha, and she was simply going with the rest of her crew to have a good time. She went deeper into the catacombs, walking alone in pitch black, with no food or water, and has never been heard since. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Megalithic Sites Are More than Just Stone, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, The Znojmo Catacombs: A Maze of Tunnels Where No Enemies Escaped Alive. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. The complete length of the Odessa catacombs comes up to around astonishing 2500 km (1553.43 miles)! In another instance, a little more information was brought to light: in 2015, a man was sentenced to 13 years in prison for killing a girl in the catacombs. . The approximate topography of the Odesa underground labyrinth is unknown as the catacombs have not been fully mapped. The very old skeleton of a partisan or smuggler. [Online] Available at: https://thinkofthetriangle.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/adventures-in-ukraine-odessa-catacombs/, McKendry, I. D. 2017.

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