Bruno Pugh
Did you know there are entire towns, big bunkers, and long tunnels buried under many parts of the world? If you’re curious, it’s time to take a look at those historic structures that are now ancient underground sites with mysterious stories. Ready to discover the secrets?
Derinkuyu, Turkey
Hewn into volcanic rock, this Turkish subterranean settlement once sheltered 20,000 people. Built during the Phrygians era, it housed stables, wineries, and even schools. Passages linked it to other underworld enclaves, forming a vast network of concealed civilizations. Archaeologists still debate its full extent.
Naours, France
Beneath Picardy’s rolling fields, over 3,000 chambers remain from a medieval escape network. This limestone labyrinth was carved by Phrygians in the Middle Ages and later expanded by early Christians from the Byzantine period. It sheltered thousands during wars, where soldiers left behind haunting graffiti.
Dixia Cheng, China (Beijing’s Underground City)
Constructed in the 1960s under Mao Zedong’s orders, this sprawling bomb shelter was designed to protect over a million people. Featuring schools, theaters, and factories, it mirrored life aboveground. Though officially closed, some remnants of the Cold War stronghold are still accessible. They offer eerie glimpses into history’s paranoia.
Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland
Shrouded in darkness, these 18th-century vaults under Scotland’s capital once housed taverns, workshops, and illicit businesses. Abandoned due to poor conditions, they became a haunting relic of Edinburgh’s past. Rediscovered in the 1980s, these chambers whisper stories of crime, resilience, and the concealed struggles of urban life.
Moose Jaw Tunnels, Canada
Originally built for heating systems, these underground corridors gained infamy during Prohibition. Rumors swirl about Al Capone’s secret operations here. Chinese immigrants also sought refuge in these concealed passageways. Today, the tunnels stand as reminders of a time when law and vice clashed beneath city streets.
Petra Water System, Jordan
Beneath Jordan’s historic rock-hewn enclave lies an intricate water system that sustained the Nabataeans. Concealed cisterns and channels allowed Petra to flourish in an arid setting. Engineers mastered hydrology long before modern techniques. Without these subterranean innovations, this breathtaking civilization would never have thrived.
Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland
Descending over 1,000 feet, this 13th-century salt mine became a masterpiece of subterranean architecture. Chapel-like chambers, intricate carvings, and underground lakes fill the shafts. Workers sculpted elaborate religious statues from salt, turning necessity into art. Now, it stands as a UNESCO-listed wonder of both labor and devotion.
Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, Malta
A Neolithic marvel, this subterranean necropolis predates Stonehenge. Built around 4000 BCE, it once held the remains of 7,000 people. Echoing voices inside its ‘Oracle Chamber’ even sparked myths of supernatural acoustics. As one of the oldest underground constructions, it offers a rare insight into prehistoric beliefs and rituals.
Burlington Bunker, United Kingdom
In England, the town of Corsham hides this 35-acre nuclear bunker. It was designed to shelter 4,000 government officials. Complete with a BBC broadcasting station, the Burlington Bunker remained a secret site for decades and then abandoned after the Cold War. Even today, it stands intact.
Erdstall Tunnels, Austria & Germany
Scattered beneath the lands of Austria and Germany, these narrow tunnels continue to baffle archaeologists. Dating back nearly a millennium, their purpose remains a mystery. Some believe they were escape routes, while others whisper of ritual significance. With passageways barely wide enough to crawl through, who knows what secrets they keep?