In many cities and towns there is a mysterious world of dungeons hidden from prying eyes.
Shaped by history, weather and geography, these underground worlds complement the life above. Some of these dungeons are completely outdated, while others are full of life. Moreover, it looks like underground cities are the future of world business.
RESO, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
More than a quarter of a million inhabitants of the city of Montreal visit the underground part of the city every day. This sprawling network of shops, restaurants, hotels, galleries, metro stations and more is sprawled beneath the web of city streets.
This huge underground shopping center saves residents and tourists from running around the city, which is very convenient in the frosty winter season.
RESO consists of 32 kilometers of tunnels covering an area of about ten square kilometers underground. The dungeon has about 120 entrances, so you can go down there from almost anywhere in the city.
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Salt mine in Wieliczka, Krakow, Poland
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wieliczka Salt Mine ceased mining in 2007 after seven hundred years of operation. The mine attracts over a million tourists to Poland every year.
Over the centuries of its existence, the mine has turned from a series of dark caves into a beautiful underground world with sculptures, chapels and columns of salt.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is about three hundred kilometers of tunnels on nine levels, three of which are open to the public. Two-hour excursions introduce tourists to the underground salt world. The most interesting part for many is the Chapel of St. Kinga, it took 30 years to build, and every element in it is made of salt.
Pilsen, Czech Republic
The Pilsen Historic Dungeon is an amazing sight to see. Below you will find 19 kilometers of corridors, cellars and wells that once served as food warehouses.
Some of the passages are said to have served to evacuate the city in the event of an attack.
Another legend tells of the treasures hidden within the walls of one of the cellars of the dungeon.
Moose Joe, Saskatchewan, Canada
The tunnels under the quiet town of Moose Jo have two different histories. One story suggests that they once served as a way to transport booze to the United States during Prohibition. There are even rumors of a connection between this trade and Al Capone, although there is no evidence.
Another story tells about the first immigrants from China who were forced to hide underground to avoid negative attitudes towards themselves. There are two guided tours that will tell you both of these legends.
Derinkuyu, Cappadocia, Turkey
The Cappadocia region is famous for its many ancient underground cities. Derinkuyu is the deepest of them. They say up to twenty thousand people could live in the city.
The underground network of tunnels and rooms consists of individual living quarters, wells, warehouses, stables, chapels and much more. The city was opened to the public only in 1965, and only a small part of it is accessible.
PATH, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Like Montreal, Toronto also has an extensive network of underground tunnels.
This underground world is a 29 km long shopping center, the largest underground shopping complex in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Underground tunnels connect 50 office buildings, six transport stations, 20 parking lots, eight hotels and about 1200 shops, cafes and other amenities. A very convenient way to avoid being hit by a car, and also to keep warm in cold weather.
Tunnels Shanghai, Portland, Oregon, USA
Portland also has its own underground city called the Shanghai Tunnels. A network of these tunnels connects Portland's old town (Chinatown) to the center.
Through this tunnel you can go to the bandit city, which no one knew about before.
The dungeon once consisted of a series of bars and hotels leading to the docks of the Willamette River. They used them both legally and illegally. Today, tourists can walk through part of the Portland dungeon, getting acquainted with the intricate network of corridors.
Underground Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Underground Atlanta opened in 1969. This underground network is a shopping and entertainment center just below downtown Atlanta. The complex covers an underground area of six city blocks and includes shops, restaurants and entertainment.
In addition to shopping in the underground center, you can also take a tour of historical sites. The tour lasts 50 minutes and includes 11 historical sites in the dungeon. Those who prefer to wander on their own can purchase a brochure at the information stand.
Dixie Cheng, Beijing, China
Beijing's underground city was built in the 70s of the twentieth century and was supposed to serve as a refuge during attacks, bombings and nuclear attacks.
The long network of tunnels, often referred to as the "underground wall of China," was dug by the townspeople by hand and is rumored to cover about 82 square kilometers.
In 2000, the tunnels were opened to the public, but in 2008 they were closed again for restoration. When they will be opened again, nobody knows. The tunnels had about a hundred entrances and could accommodate almost half of the city's population.
It is also said that schools and other institutions were even built in the tunnels so that the townspeople could hide there for a long time.
Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Unlike other cities in our article, the Spanish city of Setenil de las Bodegas with a population of about three thousand people, in general, is not underground.
It is located under the awning of a huge rock. The buildings of the city nest in and under the rock itself, creating a unique cave atmosphere.
For locals, the most familiar place is under a rocky canopy.
Author: Olga_Vesna