In the largest British city of Liverpool, in addition to famous museums, art galleries, parks and other attractions, there is one unusual, but still little known place among tourists - a whole network of underground tunnels. This place is fraught with more questions than answers, but it is no less interesting to walk through it.
The exact date of the construction of the tunnels near Liverpool is unknown. However, scientists suggest that the construction was carried out about 200 years ago: between 1810 and 1840s. The creator is Joseph Williamson, a tobacco dealer, landowner and philanthropist.
The tunnels are located under the Edge Hill area of Liverpool. Only in 1995 (according to other sources - in 2001) archaeological research was carried out here, until that time the tunnels were in an abandoned state, filled with debris and dirt. The fact is that earlier they were bombarded due to the fact that local residents began to complain about an unpleasant smell from the dungeon.
For 15 years, a team of volunteers devoted several days a week to excavating tunnels. During all this time, more than 120 trolleys of various garbage have been removed. As a result, an entire system of basements was discovered, and in some places even multi-level tunnel systems. Separate cellars have steps along which one can descend even lower - into as yet unexplored underground voids. The entire system of tunnels has not yet been excavated; volunteers continue to open new corridors of these mysterious dungeons.
During the excavations, many interesting artifacts come across - all of them are methodically documented by volunteers. Poison bottles, school inkpots, chamber pots, dishes from the Royal Hospital - this and much more were removed from the piles of garbage. The volunteers themselves believe that before their eyes is a lesson in Liverpool history.
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For what purpose such a complex underground architectural object was built - this, too, scientists do not yet know. True, there are several assumptions at once. The first is because of some of the merchant's own commercial benefits, the second is because of the philanthropic desire to provide the residents of his city with at least some work and salary, and the third is because of Williamson's eccentric nature.
There is also an assumption that the merchant was also a smuggler, and he needed the tunnels to carry out some not entirely legal operations. Others suggest that Williamson and his wife were members of a certain religious sect that professed the imminent end of the world. And underground tunnels may have been built as a refuge in the event of the Apocalypse. Although this opinion is more like a legend, since the researchers of Williamson's life claim that he was a Christian and adherent of the Anglican Church.
A significant part of Liverpool's underground tunnels is now available to visitors. They are open from Tuesday to Sunday during the summer months without prior reservation. Also, events are sometimes held here: concerts, training, shooting. If you wish, you can find an English-speaking tour guide who will tell the legends about this unusual and mysterious place.
