Discover 7 Amazing Underground Cities Throughout the World

Underground cities? What, are there mole people? Were there mole people? What is going on? It’s really not that confusing! Folks from ancient times and even more modern times have been looking downward for all kinds of reasons. 

From places to seek out safety to ways to kidnap those who have indulged in a little too much alcohol, underground cities are not uncommon. It’s difficult to know how many underground cities exist today, but archeologists, explorers, and scientists have explored as many as nine worldwide. 

The word “city” is key here. When we hear the word city, we immediately picture large buildings complete with dwelling spaces and roads, a la “The Lost City of Atlantis.” However, some of these cities are simply shelters or a complex maze of rooms connected with tunnels. 

Why Did People Look Underground?

So, yes, there are some underground cities in the world, but remember to use the word city loosely and tamper with your expectations. To this day, we have still not discovered mole people populating the Earth below the crust. 

People have looked to go underground for protection throughout history. However, we have yet to perfect subterranean living. So, underground living is technically possible, but a typical human could not survive without a natural light source. If there were to be some type of catastrophe, human beings could survive underground for only 30 hours at a time. 

What Are the Most Interesting Subterranean Dwellings?

Here are 7 underground cities. Maybe you’ll find one that will make you want to move in. Probably not, though.

1. Derinkuyu, Turkey

This is the oldest underground city we know of. This city is actually on multiple levels and probably mostly resembles what we think of when we hear the word “city.” It exists under 280 feet and holds 20,000 people together, as well as livestock. In addition, it also had stores, wine and oil presses, as well as chapels.

2. Shanghai Tunnels, Portland, Oregon, USA

This underground maze of rooms sits directly under the city. The tunnels moved freight from the uptown areas to the docks near the water. The labyrinth sheltered goods and people from the rainy weather. Today, rumor has it that they existed to kidnap, or “Shanghai,” unwittingly drunken men to serve as sailors. Today, visitors can explore these tunnels and experience the seedy underside of Portland. 

3. Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland

Yes, salt mines. Up until 2007, table salt was mined there. It has an underground lake, four chapels, and several sculptures created by workers over the centuries. It is now a historic monument, which Poland maintains. Also, one of the main chapels features impressive chandeliers for those who are worshipping.

4. RESO, Montreal, Canada

Perhaps the most utilitarian and most modern underground city, this city helps citizens stay safe from harsh winters. Today, there are approximately 20 miles of tunnels that lead to shops, museums, restaurants, and apartment buildings. Many artists have pop-up galleries there to get their works in front of fresh eyes. RESO even features a library and a dance club. Fun fact: RESO stems from the French word that means to network.

5. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain

File this one under the category of fun, much like #4 above. This underground city features restaurants and tapas bars. Although it is not completely underground, it exists beneath a large rock overhang and has become a popular spot because it shields people from the afternoon sun. The area features lots of biodiversity and is quite a romantic place to take a stroll and fall in love. 

6. Pilsen Historical Underground, Czech Republic

Any beer fans here? When you reach the end of this underground tour, you’ll be free to sample the city’s local Pilsner beer. This underground dwelling is 12.5 miles long and was built in the 14th century. It was built to serve as a place of safety if and when the city suffered an attack. Although rumors have it that there is buried treasure in the walls, the city strongly discourages looting (to put it lightly).  

7. Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This English subterranean maze is last but certainly not least and perhaps the most haunted. It opened in 1788 and was built to house taverns, cobblers, and other trades-based operations. Terrifyingly, there are rumors that serial killers stored bodies here before selling them for medical experimentation. Sadly, after businesses moved out, it became a place where the city’s poorest denizens moved in. It’s now home to ghost tours and a rat or two. 

Not on our list, but bomb shelters exist in case of nuclear war, as do tunnels used in times of prohibition to move liquor. Seems like we’ve always looked to the underground to do one of two things: survive or break the law. And sometimes, people did both.