catacombs of odessa

catacombs of odessa印象

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  chrisfugiel

  I was thinking that this is old Christian funeral place like Catacombs in Rome, but it isn't, this is former underground mine of limestone, which had been used to build the buildings in the city!Why you have to be careful? Because it is almost 3 hrs excursion and you have to walk with hard hat and electric torch in your hand. If you are lucky, you will get hard hat with installed torch on it.I wasn't lucky, so in one hand I carried electric torch and in second hand my professional photo camera. At one place where I had to cross an underground water stream I had fallen to the water up to my waist including my camera!Thanks God nothing happened to it, but I had to walk next 1.5 hrs. with completely wet trousers. When we get out from underground is was really cold, there. So I had to walk fast to my sleeping place.BUT I DO ADVICE TO VISIT THE CATACOMBS IN ODESSA!!!!

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  Star*wolf

  The "catacombs" are tunnels in the golden limestone that underdays Odessa, stretching out from the Black Sea shore miles inland. Not so much for burials, but excavated originally for building materials. There are literally thousands of miles of tunnels... These were used by several bands of resistance fighters during WWII. Take an organized tour with an English speaking guide. Most go out to the Museum, located in a village outside Odessa. Its a very moving experience.... you will see rooms, kitchens, hospital, communications areas.... many with authentic WWII equipment. Good for a nice day trip with family and friends to see some REAL history.

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  TomfromBalaclava

  Yuriy took us ot the partisan caves/catacombs, as part of our tour of Odessa.It is some way out of town, not somewhere you would get to by public transportI was fascinating for us to compare with places like the Ku Chi tunnels (Vietnam) on other trips, and also with other places on this tour (Auschwitz-Birkenau, KGB prison in Vilnius, Inkermann, etc).Yurij gave us an indepth apreciation of life and times during the occupation.It might not be everyone's ciup of tea, but we thoroughly enjoyed our morning visit there.

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  983ronm

  You really need to take the time to visit the Catacombs and learn the amazing history of their use and times. But do not get lost in here!!!!!

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  JKinLA_101

  You must book a guide for this. Our hotel (The Frederic Koklen) helped us with that. The site is unmarked and locked. You need a guide with a key to get access. In recent history, during the Great Patriotic War, the Catacombs were used by anti-Fascist fighters. Our guide was quite knowledgeable and illuminated much of that time period for us.

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  jonathank7

  We were on a recent Celebrity cruise round the Black Sea and took an optional tour of the catacombs, not really knowing what to expect. Our tour started about 15 miles outside of Odessa, at which stage the sheer scale and size of the catacombs network became apparent.Our local guide explained quietly and dispassionately the vital role the catacombs played in the local history of WW2, and some tremendous feats of heroism and ingenuity. This was a history I, as a comfortable, middle aged, middle class British male had no idea existed. Shame on me, it really is true...travel does broaden the mind.Go and visit these catacombs. It isn't your average style of holiday tour but you'll feel better and more aware of an important phase of world history because of it.

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  maria_krasa

  I think if one is in Odessa one should go there. But dont forget that you must go 15 metres down (no fresh air) and continue for about 600 metres. I didnt manage it because of my claustrophobie

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  VinceH106

  The world war two Catacombs tell an amazing story. The conditions under which the partisans lived, fort and died demonstrates bravery and commitment.I cannot imagine living under such conditions. The constant fear of cave-ins or of the enemy using gas.If you come to Odessa you must see this.A guide is needed!

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  freedml

  I would say more 'abandoned limestone quarry tunnels.' interesting and historic but not outstanding. we hired egor as our guide and did not take the 'official' tour.

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  814clarkf

  Our guides Egor and Vanya made a great team showing us through the tunnels. Took our kids 7,8 and 10 and they loved it. Prepare to get a little dusty but worth the trip!!