Karl visited some catacombs in Egypt and had this to say:

“The Catacombs were interesting to see, and makes one feel creepy as he travels underneath the ground, along old vile smelling corridors and into burial vaults where people were buried thousands of years ago.”

Following Karl's footsteps, I entered the 65-foot deep shaft leading to the Catacombs of Kom el-Shaqafa in Alexandria. Discovered in 1900—just a year before Karl's visit—these catacombs, one of the largest Roman burial sites in Egypt, are a testament to the city's rich history, echoing the burial practices of ancient Egyptians.

The catacombs feature three tiers of tombs and chambers intricately carved into bedrock to a depth of 35m (100 feet) using ancient rock-cutting techniques. Entry is through a spiral staircase, and as I descended, I imagined how the deceased were once lowered on ropes through the central shaft, deep into the underground labyrinth.

Constructed in the 2nd century AD, the catacombs evolved over three centuries, accommodating more than 300 corpses. During that time, visitors participated in burials and feasts, during which priests conducted rituals and offerings in the subterranean chambers.

Upon entering the principal tomb, two statues flanked the doorway—one of a man in Roman attire with a touch of Egyptian influence, the other of a woman following the Roman hairstyle tradition. Speculation suggests these statues represent the tomb's primary occupants.

Three large sarcophagi adorned with Roman-style decorations stood prominently in the main burial chamber. Relief panels on the walls above the sarcophagi added to the crypt's ornate design.

Navigating through maze-like smaller rooms, I felt the same eerie unease that Karl experienced, mainly because, most of the time, I was underground on my own! Despite being devoid of any odours, the catacombs' intricate passages induced a sense of trepidation and a concern of losing my way. Yet, like Karl, I emerged unscathed, capturing photographs and videos to share the mystique of this subterranean journey.