Beneath our feet lies a hidden world many never realize exists. While most of us go about our lives on the surface, there’s an entire underground realm filled with treasures waiting to be discovered. From ancient caves to hidden passageways and cities, some of the earth’s most awe-inspiring wonders are buried deep below, often remaining unseen.
In this post, we’ll take you on a journey beneath the earth’s surface to explore the fascinating world of underground caves and visitable treasures.
The Ancient Derinkuyu City of Turkey
Imagine stumbling upon a door behind the panel in your house and finding the whole city under your feet. That is exactly what happened in the 1960s when one man broke the panel dividing the house and opened the vast underground city known as Derinkuyu.
This complex is located 18 levels underground and has the capacity for housing 20,000 people. Even stables, churches, and ventilation shafts, all for the security of its citizens from attackers, can be observed here. If you walk the dark passages, you can feel history closing around you.
Despite its extensive exploration, the exact origins and purpose of Derinkuyu remain a mystery. Some theories suggest it could be much older than we think, possibly dating back to prehistoric times. How ancient civilizations managed to carve such a vast city with primitive tools remains one of history’s great puzzles.
The Glowworm Grotto of Waitomo, New Zealand
Picture thousands of tiny, sky-blue lights twinkling over you as you glide silently through the cavern. Yes, not some movie from outer space—is this the Waitomo Glowworm Grottos?
These tiny, glittering inhabitants, Arachnocampa luminosa, New Zealand’s sole inhabitants, leave their magic upon the caves, bestowing them with the sky’s essence during the starry underground night. A coastal cave boat ride is one of those things where you can feel you’ve been pushed headfirst into the very fabric of a dream.
The Salt Mines of Wieliczka
Most mines are dark, cold, and rather grimy. This one isn’t. The Wieliczka Salt Mine is vast, cavernous space filled with chapel, crystal-py chandeliers constructed from salt, and sweet centuries-long carvings. It’s even sweet enough to make it a UNESCO World Heritage site. They even have a lake underground, and the air is said to be good for your health.
The Cenotes of the Mexican Yucatán
The Yucatán Peninsula is riddled with cenotes all over the place, shimmering crystal-clear bodies of water. They were holy to the ancient Mayan, and after you’ve seen them, you can only speculate why. They are some lying open to the sun, and some nestled in caves, where the sunlight seeps through from small openings. To snorkel through them, even to swim through them, is an experience.
Some cenotes have a halocline, where freshwater meets saltwater, creating a surreal visual effect for divers. They also house rare blind fish, turtles, and even bats in cave cenotes.
While some cenotes are ideal for a refreshing dip, others are dangerous to enter due to their depth, strong currents, or fragile stalactites and stalagmites that have taken thousands of years to form.
The Paris Catacombs, France
Beneath the Parisian lovely boulevards lies something very surprising: miles of catacomb-lined tunnels filled with tidily stacked remains. Paris Catacombs are spooky and fascinating. Built during the 18th century for the need for overcrowded graveyards, the catacomb complex houses the remains of over six million individuals. The silence, coupled with the low levels of light, creates a strange reflective experience when one is navigating the catacombs.
The Underground River of the Philippines’ Palawan
Have you ever been given a ride through the heart of a mountain by the side of the river? Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is nothing short. This underground passageway winds its way through caves lined by rock, flitting bats overhead and jaw-dropping rock structures around each bend. It’s one of those moments where nature’s hand takes you all the way through to quiet.
The Coober Pedy Opals Mines, Australia
In the searing heat of the Australian desert, the residents of the town of Coober Pedy conceived something bright—let’s live underground! This strange town has the history behind its opals and its strange lifestyle. Few houses, buildings, and even churches are dug into hillsides not to withstand the scorching heat. It is strange, maybe, but when you enter the cozy underground house, the nature-made air-conditioning is not surprising.
Hidden Worlds That Lie Nearer Than We Imagine
What’s even better still, however, is some of these incredible underground phenomena, only a short drive from an RV Resort and, by default, the best road-trip idea ever. From stargazing over New Zealand’s glowworms to exploring Turkey’s cities from the Stone Age, the earth underfoot has some more tricks up its sleeve.
