Probably in any city there are legends about mysterious tunnels under the city, which lead outside the city limits or in which countless treasures are kept mixed with bones and skulls. Of course, in some years these tunnels were blocked up or simply bricked up, but there are people who know the passage there and even made their way there. Even in our small town there is such a legend and by the way it is not a fact that it is not true.
And from in the Mexican city of Puebla, the legend has come true. The existence of a network of underground passages in the ancient Mexican city of Puebla has long been considered only a fiction, one of the urban legends. However, local authorities have now confirmed that underground labyrinths do exist.
History takes us back to 1531 - the year of the founding of Puebla. The underground tunnel is 10 kilometers long. It runs right under the historic city center.
This is how it all looks …
El Universal reports that the tunnel is 7 meters high and 3 meters wide. He was discovered while carrying out public works in the city center. Until we found four entrances, clogged with earth.
The tunnels are so heavily clogged with earth that in some places it is difficult to stand upright.
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After removing tons of mud and silt, the workers saw several lines of underground passages stretching from Fort Loreto to Fort Guadelupe, in the north of the city, and from Fort Lorento to the San Jose district, located in the city center.
The third line runs from Fort Guadeloupe to the church of Los Remedios, where in 1862 the Puebla residents defended the city from the invasion of the French army. Meanwhile, scientists do not exclude the possibility of new discoveries.
“Local folklore and legends mention tunnels under Puebla, but no one knew where they went. No one has ever seen them,”says Sergio Vergara Bermejo of the Puebla Center for Cultural and Historical Heritage.
According to initial research, the underground labyrinth was built 300-500 years ago. “It is part of the architecture of the city. The churches are connected with secret streets. There is a whole network of alleys leading from the main monasteries. From Santo Domingo, San Augustin, La Merced to San Javier,”said Sergio Vergara Bermejo.
The Mexico News Network reported that the tunnels were used in 1862, during the Battle of Puebla. Then the Mexicans fought with the French colonialists, whose army outnumbered the poorly trained Mexicans by almost 1.5 times. Despite this, the inhabitants of Puebla defended their independence.
Founded in 1531, Puebla is one of the oldest cities in Mexico, one of the five main cities since the Spanish colonization. With its rich history and impressive architectural heritage, in 1987 the United Nations declared Puebla a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“In the 17th century, Puebla was flooded. Half of the city was covered with silt. The city we walk through was rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is based on values, for the safety of which we are responsible,”says Bermejo.
Puebla Mayor Tony Gali has allocated about $ 295,000 for the restoration of the tunnels. There are plans to make the dungeon a tourist destination. Travelers will be able to learn more about the history and legends of the ancient city. The exact location of the tunnels has been kept secret for now.
And just recently, these tunnels were opened to the public:
In the tunnel, along with toys, marble and antique kitchen items, many guns, bullets and gunpowder were found. The armament mainly dates back to the mid-19th century, when the Battle of Pueblo took place during the conflict between Mexico and France. Researchers believe that these tunnels may have been used by soldiers during the Mexican Liberation War, although they could also have been used by clergy or even common people.
The tunnel tour includes a story about the archaeologists who worked on the project and an exhibition where you can see items found in the dungeon. The tunnel museum is known as the "Secrets of Puebla" - aptly named for the mysterious tunnels that have been hidden under the city for so long.