Visiting new cities is always a fun thing to do. But what happens when those cities are underground? Many cities over the course of time have been created below the ground for a variety of reasons: war, heat, fear, war, more war; you get the drift. TripHobo lists down some of the most amazing underground cities of the world:
(Image Credit: Urbanpeek )
Coober Pedy: Australia
Located in South Australia, 846 km north of the city of Adelaide, is the interesting town of Coober Pedy. Besides being known as the "opal capital of the world" (a large quantity of opals are mined here), Coober Pedy is famous for its below-ground residences also called dugouts that were made to protect the residents against oppressive heat and dingoes. People continue to live in underground residences here. There are even underground shops, pubs, church and also a graveyard! Creepy!
(Image Credit: Holidaycheck )
Berlin Underground City: Germany
Constructed by the Nazis, the Berlin Underground City is made up of 1000 interconnected bunkers. This city was used by the residents of Berlin during the air raid of 1945. You can even see Nazi murals that are still present inside the complex. It has bedrooms, bathrooms and even a labour room for women. One of the spookier underground cities on our list!
(Image Credit: Footootjes )
Matmata: Tunisia
Matmata is located in southern Tunisia. The residents dug pits into the ground and caves were dug out around them that were used as rooms. These troglodyte structures were not known to the world until 1967. The structures were created to give residents some respite from the scorching heat. The Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata was also used as a filming location for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope as Luke Skywalker's aunt and uncle's house on the planet Tatooine. Nerds rejoice!
(Image Credit: Lifebuzz )
Dixia Cheng: China
The Underground City also known as Dixia Cheng is located in Beijing, China, and it's essentially a glorified bomb shelter. It was built during the 1970s during the height of the Cold War and for fear of a full-blown nuclear war with Soviet Russia (yes, the city can withstand a nuclear attack!). It can house up to 300,000 people for four months. It's got restaurants, schools, theatres, clinics, factories and even a roller skating rink. Because you've gotta have some entertainment down there when there's a full-scale nuclear war happening above your heads!
(Image Credit: Dollarphotoclub )
Derinkuyu: Turkey
Located in the area of Cappadocia in Turkey, Derinkuyu was built during the 8th and 7th century BC. Why? Well, basically because the volcanic rock of the area was soft enough to be dug out. And the caves came in handy, especially during times of war. It was used heavily during the Arab-Byzantine wars between 780-1180 as protection against Muslim-Arabs. The city went on to be used till the 20th century AD! The city could accommodate around 20,000 people and had stables, cellars, storage rooms and even chapels inside! Something unique to Derinkuyu was that it also had a religious school inside. Because even when you're underground, school's always in session, kids!
(Image Credit: Urbanpeek )
Coober Pedy: Australia
Located in South Australia, 846 km north of the city of Adelaide, is the interesting town of Coober Pedy. Besides being known as the "opal capital of the world" (a large quantity of opals are mined here), Coober Pedy is famous for its below-ground residences also called dugouts that were made to protect the residents against oppressive heat and dingoes. People continue to live in underground residences here. There are even underground shops, pubs, church and also a graveyard! Creepy!
(Image Credit: Holidaycheck )
Berlin Underground City: Germany
Constructed by the Nazis, the Berlin Underground City is made up of 1000 interconnected bunkers. This city was used by the residents of Berlin during the air raid of 1945. You can even see Nazi murals that are still present inside the complex. It has bedrooms, bathrooms and even a labour room for women. One of the spookier underground cities on our list!
(Image Credit: Footootjes )
Matmata: Tunisia
Matmata is located in southern Tunisia. The residents dug pits into the ground and caves were dug out around them that were used as rooms. These troglodyte structures were not known to the world until 1967. The structures were created to give residents some respite from the scorching heat. The Hotel Sidi Driss in Matmata was also used as a filming location for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope as Luke Skywalker's aunt and uncle's house on the planet Tatooine. Nerds rejoice!
(Image Credit: Lifebuzz )
Dixia Cheng: China
The Underground City also known as Dixia Cheng is located in Beijing, China, and it's essentially a glorified bomb shelter. It was built during the 1970s during the height of the Cold War and for fear of a full-blown nuclear war with Soviet Russia (yes, the city can withstand a nuclear attack!). It can house up to 300,000 people for four months. It's got restaurants, schools, theatres, clinics, factories and even a roller skating rink. Because you've gotta have some entertainment down there when there's a full-scale nuclear war happening above your heads!
(Image Credit: Dollarphotoclub )
Derinkuyu: Turkey
Located in the area of Cappadocia in Turkey, Derinkuyu was built during the 8th and 7th century BC. Why? Well, basically because the volcanic rock of the area was soft enough to be dug out. And the caves came in handy, especially during times of war. It was used heavily during the Arab-Byzantine wars between 780-1180 as protection against Muslim-Arabs. The city went on to be used till the 20th century AD! The city could accommodate around 20,000 people and had stables, cellars, storage rooms and even chapels inside! Something unique to Derinkuyu was that it also had a religious school inside. Because even when you're underground, school's always in session, kids!
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