These 15 Subterranean Cities Still Exist

Long before skylines, some people looked down and carved cities into the earth to survive what lay above. These hidden places sheltered prayers and fear alike, and their walls still whisper stories of resilience. Let’s follow the path where sunlight never reached, but the human spirit thrived silently.

Lalibela, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia’s highlands, King Lalibela carved a sanctuary into volcanic rock during the 12th century. Eleven churches connect through trenches and tunnels to form a symbolic New Jerusalem. While worshippers still gather here, erosion from weathering damages the stone surfaces and prompts urgent conservation efforts led by UNESCO.

Petra’s Rock Tombs, Jordan

Petra’s grand facades hide a deeper story of tombs and chambers carved into sandstone by the Nabataeans over 2,000 years ago. These subterranean spaces were used for sacred rites and burials, combining religious purposes with natural artistry. While the city above crumbled, these solemn chambers have defied time with quiet strength.

Orvieto Underground, Italy

Carved first by the Etruscans, the tunnels beneath Orvieto later became olive oil mills and secret escape routes. Each chamber shows centuries of use, from daily routines to war efforts. Today, these passages stretch quietly beneath the medieval streets, revealing life layer by layer.

Derinkuyu, Turkey

Derinkuyu descends 18 stories into the Anatolian earth—a shelter for thousands during raids. Carved in antiquity and expanded through Byzantine times, it includes churches, wineries, kitchens, and stone doors to seal off rooms. This hidden world once held entire communities when the surface was too dangerous to endure.

Kaymakli, Turkey

Close to Derinkuyu, Kaymakli offered similar shelter but focused on survival through sustainability. Food storage chambers and fermentation rooms supported daily life with storage and essential provisions. Narrow tunnels connect levels where generations lived without daylight, yet not without hope.

Matiate, Turkey

Archaeologists uncovered Matiate in 2020 beneath Midyat in southeastern Turkey—a sprawling city likely used for nearly 2,000 years. Unlike its neighbors, its layout reflects religious diversity. Early Christians and pagans may have lived here side by side. Its tunnels hint at coexistence or underground resilience.

Naours, France

Once a Roman quarry, Naours became a medieval refuge and a WWI shelter. Its 300 rooms form a labyrinth beneath northern France. Soldiers etched over 2,000 names into the walls to turn it from a place of hiding into a lasting memorial of war and remembrance.

Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland

After the Edinburgh Vaults were abandoned, they filled with the city’s poorest residents. Initially built in the 18th century beneath South Bridge for trade and storage, they became something else entirely. Now, ghost stories cling to the stone where survival once defined the darkness.

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Poland

Declared a UNESCO site, Wieliczka is a historical destination known for its awe. Stretching 185 miles, its tunnels house cathedrals and sculptures made entirely of salt. For over 700 years, it served as a mine, but today, it’s remembered as a breathtaking blend of labor and artistry.

Coober Pedy, Australia

In Coober Pedy’s unforgiving desert, people built downward instead of up. This opal-mining town carved its homes into sandstone to escape the heat above. Nearly half the population still lives underground. With churches and hotels below the surface, it’s a thriving community shaped entirely by necessity and grit.

Kish Qanats, Iran

Over 2,000 years ago, engineers in Iran created qanats, underground aqueducts that carried mountain water to desert towns. These hand-dug tunnels stretch for miles with subtle gradients and ventilation shafts. Many still function today. Their endurance reflects a legacy of practical genius and water-smart civilization-building.

Dixia Cheng, China

Now hidden beneath Beijing’s streets, Dixia Cheng is a chilling monument to Cold War paranoia and global tension. Built in the 1970s, it was designed to protect a million people from nuclear attack. Inside, it held schools, homes, theaters, and hospitals, all waiting for a disaster.

Shanghai Tunnels, USA

Beneath Portland’s historic district lies a tunnel network that was once used for transporting goods, but its darker reputation remains. Stories suggest people were “shanghaied” through trapdoors and forced onto ships. While records are limited, the chilling legends persist by turning this urban underworld into a space where history and myth blur.

Vardzia, Georgia

In 12th-century Georgia, monks carved Vardzia into a cliffside, creating a hidden city of chapels and refuge. It spanned thirteen levels and sheltered communities from invasion. Centuries later, its tunnels remain preserved in stone to celebrate the devotion and resilience that once defined life underground.

Ravne Tunnels, Bosnia

Near the so-called Bosnian pyramids, the Ravne Tunnels remain controversial. While some claim ancient origins, others suggest modern digging. Promoters cite airflow and unusual features, but no peer-reviewed studies support such claims. These tunnels continue to draw attention, though evidence behind their significance remains highly debated.