Underground cities rank among the most striking and mysterious remnants of human history. While many of us might only imagine such worlds in fantasy films, countless communities throughout history have actually thrived beneath the earth’s surface. Sometimes to escape invaders or natural disasters, and other times to evade extreme temperatures and hostile climates, humanity has shown remarkable ingenuity and adaptability in these hidden realms. In this article, we explore 25 different underground cities around the globe, each boasting its own unique characteristics and stories.

1. Setenil de las Bodegas (Spain)

History and Architecture

Located in Spain’s Andalusia region, Setenil de las Bodegas is a remarkable town constructed beneath massive rock overhangs. Its population of roughly 3,000 quite literally lives under the rocks.

Natural Coolness

Homes and restaurants are carved into the rocky cliffs. This design keeps interiors cool in summer and warm in winter, eliminating the need for air conditioning. Records show that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, offering both practicality and historical intrigue.

2. Edinburgh Vaults (Scotland)

The City’s Dark Underside

Beneath the historic streets of Edinburgh lie vaults dating back to the late 18th century, originally built for merchants to store goods.

Social Transformation

Once these businesses moved elsewhere, the vaults turned into a shady refuge for the homeless and criminals. Despite the damp and poorly ventilated conditions, excavations in 1985 unearthed toys, medicine bottles, and tableware—tangible evidence of the people who once lived there.

3. Coober Pedy (Australia)

Battling the Desert Climate

Situated about 950 km northwest of Adelaide, Coober Pedy was put on the map in 1915 when a young boy accidentally discovered opal. Intense heat exceeding 50°C (122°F) in summer and frequent dust storms forced residents to move underground.

World’s Best Opal

Coober Pedy is famed not only for its subterranean residences but also for producing some of the highest-quality opals worldwide. The town features underground churches, shops, and even hotels, offering a surreal experience for visitors.

4. Earth Scraper (Mexico)

An Upside-Down Skyscraper

Beneath the main square of Mexico City lies a conceptual project: a 65-story “inverted skyscraper.” It goes downward instead of rising upward.

Natural Lighting

A massive glass roof on the square’s surface allows sunlight to penetrate deep into the structure’s central atrium. This innovative design preserves the plaza’s function above ground while creating habitable space below.

5. Kariz Kish (Iran)

A 2,500-Year-Old Water System

On Iran’s Kish Island, Kariz Kish spans an impressive 10,000 square meters. Once used for water purification and storage, these tunnels date back 2,500 years.

Fossil-Filled Ceilings

The ceilings here reach up to 8 meters high and are adorned with ancient coral and other marine fossils. No longer essential for its original water management role, the site now hosts cafés, shops, and art galleries.

6. Dixia Cheng (Beijing)

The “Underground Great Wall”

Dixia Cheng was built in the 1970s to protect Beijing’s citizens from potential Soviet attacks. Its vast network of tunnels and chambers extend 85 meters below ground.

Neglected Giant

Equipped with schools, cinemas, an ice-skating rink, and factories, the site was once designed to shelter 300,000 people for up to four months. It fell into disrepair after the Soviet threat eased, and is now rumored to house thousands of homeless residents.

7. RÉSO (Montreal, Canada)

A Vast Underground Complex

Developed since the 1960s to help Montrealers cope with harsh winters, RÉSO features over 32 km (20 mi) of interconnected tunnels. It links office towers, hotels, shopping centers, and residences, used by half a million people daily.

Tourist and Economic Hub

With more than 2,000 shops, 10 metro stations, 4 transit stations, and 6 performance venues, RÉSO is a hotspot for both locals and tourists. The network even hosts an annual 5K run along its tunnels.

8. The Lowline (New York)

World’s First Underground Park

In Manhattan, a deserted trolley terminal is being converted into an underground park called The Lowline. Inspired by the High Line, this project uses an innovative “remote skylight” technology.

Optical Fiber Magic

Natural sunlight travels via optical fiber cables to nourish plants and trees underground. This initiative could pave the way for future urban parks built entirely below the surface.

9. Helsinki Underground City (Finland)

A 300-Kilometer Tunnel Network

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, has constructed over 500 underground facilities extending through a 300-kilometer network of tunnels. Capable of housing around 750,000 people, it’s a testament to advanced planning in harsh climates.

Shelter and Entertainment Combined

These subterranean spaces include shopping centers, hockey arenas, a church, and swimming pools. Within 72 hours, the entire network can convert into a full-scale nuclear shelter. The geothermal heating system saves energy and reduces emissions.

10. SubTropolis (Kansas City, USA)

Limestone Labyrinth

Dating back to 1964, SubTropolis occupies 45 kilometers of former limestone mines. Its naturally maintained temperatures of 18–21°C (64–70°F) make it ideal for various industries.

Diverse Businesses

From cheese production to vehicle storage, more than 1,600 people work daily in this man-made cavern, taking advantage of stable conditions and lower energy costs.

11. Underground Science City (Singapore)

A Creative Solution to Limited Space

Singapore’s population density has spurred the development of a 400,500-square-meter underground science city. Around 4,200 scientists and researchers work in laboratories, offices, and recreational facilities beneath the surface.

Hub of Innovation

Equipped with state-of-the-art ventilation and advanced engineering, this subterranean complex illustrates how Singapore optimizes its limited land area for research and development.

12. Burlington (United Kingdom)

A Secret Nuclear Bunker

Nestled near Corsham, Burlington was built in 1955 to protect 4,000 people from nuclear war. It features phone lines, a hospital, and provisions for isolation from the outside world for at least three months.

A Royal Evacuation Route

The site includes a special rail link to the London-Bristol line for evacuating the Royal Family. Despite its formidable design, Burlington has been inactive since 1991.

13. Napoli Sotterranea (Italy)

2,400 Years of History

Beneath the city of Naples lies an 80-kilometer network dating back to the ancient Greeks, later expanded by the Romans. Throughout history, these tunnels have served as water reservoirs, storage facilities, and even a hub for illicit trade.

The Bourbon Tunnel’s Enigma

Constructed in the 19th century under King Ferdinand, the Bourbon Tunnel connected the Royal Palace and military barracks. Today, it stands as a relic of Naples’ rich heritage.

14. Guanajuato (Mexico)

Mining and Revolution

From the 16th century onward, Guanajuato’s fortunes rose on silver mining. During the 19th-century War of Independence, its extensive tunnels served as sanctuaries for revolutionaries.

The Mummies Museum

Today, these tunnels are best known for the famous Mummies Museum, which displays naturally mummified bodies, offering a stark reminder of the region’s history.

15. Plzen Historical Underground (Czech Republic)

One of Central Europe’s Largest Networks

Developed between the 13th and 19th centuries, Plzen’s underground tunnels were originally designed for water and sewage. Over time, they became a storage hub supporting the city’s famous beer culture.

An Archaeological Treasure

Artifacts from the Middle Ages abound in these expansive cellars. They now form a tourist attraction where visitors can explore centuries-old structures and learn about traditional beer storage methods.

16. Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel (Japan)

The “Cathedral of Flood Control”

Constructed to protect Tokyo from devastating floods, this labyrinth of tunnels and massive silos—each as tall as the Statue of Liberty—is an engineering marvel. Five enormous tanks connect via a 6 km network.

Engineering Mastery

When rivers overflow or heavy rains hit, water is funneled into the system, then pumped safely to the Edo River. With intensifying storms due to climate change, the facility’s role grows ever more critical.

17. Sanford Underground Research Facility (USA)

From Gold Mine to Science Hub

Located in South Dakota’s former Homestake Gold Mine, this research center spans 8,000 acres with 19 km of tunnels dedicated to groundbreaking experiments.

Dark Matter and Neutrino Studies

Positioned far below Earth’s surface to shield against cosmic radiation, the lab hosts pioneering work in neutrino and dark matter research, offering scientists an unprecedented environment to probe the universe’s deepest secrets.

18. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (USA)

The Hangar 18 Mystery

Stories of UFO wreckage and alien remains allegedly transported here from a 1947 incident in New Mexico have fueled decades of conspiracy theories. Hangar 18 remains shrouded in secrecy, captivating the public’s imagination.

Shrouded in Intrigue

Despite denials and debunking efforts, speculation persists. Many still believe there is more to Hangar 18 than official narratives disclose.

19. Vivos (USA)

Modern Noah’s Arks

Founded by Robert Vicino, Vivos Group builds underground bunkers in California’s Barstow region, designed to withstand nuclear blasts, extreme weather, earthquakes, and more. Each bunker can house about 200 people.

A Global Network

Vicino’s broader vision is to construct multiple bunkers near major cities worldwide, even safeguarding the DNA of various species, thereby positioning these subterranean refuges as “modern-day Arks.”

20. Mesa Verde (Colorado, USA)

The Legacy of the Ancestral Puebloans

Mesa Verde National Park is home to the cliff dwellings built by the Anasazi between the 12th and 13th centuries. The largest site, Cliff Palace, perches on a rocky ledge.

Life on the Cliffs

Protecting inhabitants from threats and extreme weather, these cliff dwellings were eventually abandoned due to prolonged drought. Today, many Native American tribes consider themselves the descendants of these ancient inhabitants.

21. Petra (Jordan)

Ancient Marvel

Constructed between 1550 and 1229 BCE, Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812. Nestled among towering cliffs, the city houses ornate tombs and monumental buildings carved from rock.

The Narrow Gorge

Access to Petra is via a winding gorge known as the Siq. At its end stands the iconic “Treasury,” a massive rock-cut façade that leaves visitors awestruck. Petra was once home to over 30,000 residents.

22. Moose Jaw Tunnels (Canada)

Two Unique Tour Experiences

The Moose Jaw Tunnels offer two themed tours: “Passage to Fortune,” focusing on early Chinese Canadian settlers, and “The Chicago Connection,” centered on rumors of Prohibition-era liquor smuggling.

Al Capone Legends

It’s said that gangster Al Capone once used these tunnels for illicit booze storage. While there’s no firm evidence, the tales remain popular, lending an air of mystery to the site.

23. Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)

Underground Artistry

Near Kraków, the Wieliczka Salt Mine dates back to the 13th century and descends to 327 meters (1,073 ft). It’s renowned for its salt-carved chapels, statues, and chandeliers.

Dazzling Light

Spanning 287 kilometers (178 mi) of tunnels, the mine’s salt lakes glimmer with reflections from ornate lamps. Its historical and aesthetic significance earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

24. Portland Shanghai Tunnels (USA)

19th-Century Engineering

These tunnels originally linked Portland’s waterfront to local hotels and bars. Constructed in the late 1800s, they served to move goods more efficiently.

Human Trafficking Myths

Legends claim these tunnels were also used for kidnapping victims (known as “Shanghaiing”) to crew ships. Though concrete evidence is lacking, such rumors continue to attract curious travelers.

25. Derinkuyu (Turkey)

Deep Within Cappadocia

Accidentally discovered in 1963, Derinkuyu is often hailed as one of the world’s largest underground cities. Extending 85 meters below ground across 18 levels, it’s part of a vast network in the Cappadocia region.

Housing Up to 20,000 People

Complete with ventilation shafts, communal wells, and large stone doors to seal off each level, Derinkuyu protected residents (and their livestock) from invaders. Today, eight levels are open to visitors, showcasing a jaw-dropping feat of ancient engineering.

Humanity’s Adaptability and Ingenuity

Underground cities underscore how remarkably resourceful and innovative people can be when striving to survive and thrive under extreme circumstances. Whether for defense against invasion or refuge from harsh climates, humans have continually devised creative solutions to live below the surface. Spanning epochs and continents, these subterranean complexes represent a rich tapestry of history, culture, and engineering prowess.

Modern urban challenges—such as overcrowding and environmental concerns—may someday make large-scale underground development even more appealing. From energy conservation to climate control, these hidden realms offer a glimpse into a future where living without direct sunlight is not only feasible but comfortable. Present-day examples show that not only is such a life possible—it can be incredibly efficient and intriguing.

References

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2. Smith, A. (1989). Urban Archaeology: The Hidden Layers of City Development. Oxford University Press.
3. Davis, N. (2001). Europe: A History. Harper Perennial.
4. Kolb, M. (2005). Ancient Civilizations and Their Underground Worlds. Cambridge University Press.
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6. Turner, M. (2008). Subterranean Societies: Hidden Realms and Cultural Developments. Routledge.
7. Foster, L. (2019). Architectural Marvels Beneath Our Feet. The Journal of World Architecture and Planning.

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