The Znojmo Catacombs are a series of underground passages located beneath the city of Znojmo, Czech Republic. Underground tunnels are built to protect and shelter people in times of war, and inbuilt traps, such as inescapable holes and choke points, ensure there are no Which invader can escape the catacombs alive?
Although the passages of this underground labyrinth (considered by some to be one of the largest in Central Europe) are often called ‘catacombs’, it is in fact a misnomer, because catacombs are often associated with the dead and graves. However, at the Znojmo Catacombs, there is currently no evidence that they were used for human burials. Instead, the Znojmo Catacombs were used as shelters during wartime.
History of Znojmo
Znojmo is a historic city located in the South Moravian region in the Czech Republic, 190 km (118 mi) southeast of Prague. The city is famous for many reasons, including pickled cucumbers, wine and the 1809 Battle of Znaim, in which the French under Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the Austrians under Prince Charles. The Znojmo Catacombs are believed to have been built in the Middle Ages, several hundred years before this battle took place.
During the Middle Ages, city buildings such as houses and palaces had underground cellars. These wine cellars are used mainly by residents to store the wine for which the city is so famous. However, they are also used to preserve many different types of agricultural products, especially food. During the 14th and 15th centuries, these individual vaults began to be connected to each other and gradually the Znojmo Catacombs were formed.
Znojmo’s underground passages (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Catacombs
The Znojmo Catacombs are estimated to be more than 30 kilometers (18 miles) long, making it one of the largest in Central Europe. However, this maze of tunnels has not yet been fully mapped and measured because there are parts that are now completely flooded. Additionally, only about 1.6 km (1 mile) of this maze is open to the public, accessible via the east side of Slepici trh (meaning ‘chicken market’).
Townhouse (Znojmo), wide front, Chicken Market ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )
During the war, Znojmo residents are said to have used the catacombs as a hiding place. Water was provided to those hiding in the catacombs because the soil layers containing this valuable resource were cut during construction. Wells were built in these areas to provide water for people in the city. In addition, the crypt is equipped with a drainage and drainage system to keep the place clean. As for ventilation, shafts leading to chimneys and fireplaces in the buildings above supplied air to the crypt. Furthermore, tunnels leading out of the city were created in case the people of Znojmo needed to escape the city.
While these designs provided much safety and comfort to the people of Znojmo during the war, the catacombs also had features intended to harm invaders if they sought to enter them. Traps are installed in the passages of the catacombs and consist of slippery slides that end in inescapable pits, narrow choke points, and trap doors. Enemies entering the crypt have no intention of coming out of the crypt alive.
Znojmo Catacombs. ( visitznojmo )
It was also pointed out that when an invading army entered the town, they would find that although it was empty, smoke was still rising from the chimneys of the buildings. The scene of this ghost town would have been very strange and would probably have had a psychological effect on the enemy soldiers.
Nowadays, the crypt (or rather part of it) is open to the public and, as mentioned before, can be accessed through the ‘chicken market’. Small dioramas of goblins and vampires have also been placed in these areas, possibly in an effort to give a more spooky and mystical feel to the place.
