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Around the world, many towns and cities are built on vast networks of tunnels, aqueducts, medieval housing, and mines, which, though long abandoned, allow visitors to travel back in time and into history.
Legends and mysterious rumors are what underground cities preserve and attract tourists from around the world.
From Krakow to New York, here are 6 places for you to embark on underground adventures.
Wieliczka Salt Mine, Krakow, Poland
The Wieliczka salt mine, located not far from Krakow, Poland, was discovered in the 13th century and continued to produce table salt until 2007. Today, it was a popular tourist destination worldwide before the pandemic.
The church, adorned with chandeliers carved from salt at the Wieliczka salt mine in Poland, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978.
As you descend the 378-step wooden staircase to explore the area, you have many options to learn more about the salt mine. If you're interested in history, you can book a Miner's Tour and gain a better understanding of the hardships faced by those who work in salt mining.
If you want to learn about other aspects such as religion, you can join a pilgrimage tour.
City Hall Subway Station, New York, USA
If you're planning a trip to the Big Apple, be sure to head down to the downtown area to experience a more authentic New York.
Opened in 1904, the New York City subway system became incredibly popular, especially the first station built beneath City Hall. However, the last train arrived at the station on December 31, 1945.
The subway station at City Hall, New York, has a tiled ceiling and a vaulted roof overlooking a platform that was last used on December 31, 1945.
Visitors can reserve limited spots on tours to the station, with its vaulted ceilings, stained-glass dormer windows, and tiled archways, still bearing the hallmarks of the era created by Spanish architect Rafael Guastavino.
The historic Pilsen Metro, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Pilsen, a city located in western Czech Republic, is home to the historic metro station of the same name – a labyrinth stretching over 20 kilometers. This underground world comprises walkways, wine cellars, and even wells, built beneath the city's streets in the 14th century.
Archaeologists have found artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages within the walls of Pilsen's historic site.
These tunnels once served as storage for food, beer barrels, and an escape route for many. Legend has it that a huge treasure is buried beneath the underground chambers, but to this day, no one knows the exact location of that treasure within the walls.
Derinkuyu Underground City, Nevsehir Province, Türkiye
Large enough to accommodate over 20,000 people, along with livestock and food shops, the scale of the underground city of Derinkuyu – one of the cities located in the historical Cappadocian region – is considered spectacular.
For many years, they were used by groups fleeing religious persecution and escaping war, as the large stone doors could seal off entire floors.
Türkiye's underground city of Derinkuyu was built over 1,800 years ago and could accommodate more than 20,000 people, including livestock and shops.
The tunnel complex was rediscovered in 1963 when a local resident found a room behind a wall in his house and continued digging to create a tunnel leading to the city.
The tunnels of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
The peaceful town of Moose Jaw in southern Canada is home to numerous tunnels that divide the area into two separate levels. In the early 20th century, the government imposed taxes on immigrants from China. Worried about not being able to pay the taxes, these undocumented immigrants were forced to choose to live underground.
Moose Jaw Tunnels
Many Chinese families lived in the Moose Jaw tunnels, earning a living by working for business owners above ground. One of the most famous rumors associated with the site is that mafia boss Al Capone used this underground labyrinth to conduct his bootlegging operations.
However, to this day, the rumors remain just rumors and there is no concrete evidence. Today, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.
Edinburgh Vaults, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Beneath the streets of Scotland's capital lies a dark, damp world dating back to the 18th century, known as the Edinburgh Vaults. This underground city, opened in 1788, was originally built to house pubs, metallurgical furnaces, and storage for illicit materials.
One of the most terrifying legends associated with this place is that it was once used by serial killers Burke and Hare to hide the bodies of their unfortunate victims. Even today, it still evokes a chilling and frightening feeling in many people.
The Edinburgh Vaults, an underground crypt, was completed in 1788 and visitors can explore numerous abandoned pubs and workshops.
Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile destination for thrill-seekers. Today, you can visit the place and listen to the chilling legends about it as told by tour guides.
