Advertised by a Spanish company as the smallest escape room in the world, “Catalepsy” is a service that allows visitors to experience the feeling of being in a real coffin.
Inspired by the fear of being buried alive and trapped in a coffin (or taphophobia), which was prevalent in the 19th century during the Victorian era, as well as in the works of writer Edgar Allan Poe, this “smallest escape room in the world” is designed to simulate a game.
This service helps visitors experience what it feels like to be in a real coffin.
Participants here try to escape from the coffin by solving various puzzles set up by the Horror Box company in Barcelona, Spain.
Players have 30 minutes to free themselves from the coffin by tackling different puzzles through teamwork. The game is designed for two players. If either player gives up at any point, the game ends for both.
The game is designed for two players.
Players are monitored via CCTV by game administrator Aurora Alvarino, who believes these escape rooms are “mental workout sessions.”
She stated that the attraction aims to recreate “a situation that sooner or later we will all experience: your own funeral.”
Miriam Castella, a 22-year-old actress chosen by the company to perform the game, admitted that she felt “a bit scared” once the coffin lid closed.
Her playing partner, 39-year-old dancer Carlos Granedo, mentioned that he had participated in around 15 escape rooms before but described this experience as unique.
This service is not suitable for people with claustrophobia.
When booking tickets, players can customize several aspects, including the type of coffin or whether they want to be “cremated” in virtual flames and artificial smoke.
However, this service is advised against for individuals suffering from claustrophobia.
