The earth’s surface is home to some really stunning wonders, both natural and manmade. And visiting these places can be a traveler’s dream come true! However, there are some places beneath the earth’s surface that would warrant a visit from the avid traveler we well. Unique in their own perspectives, these subterranean wonders belong to a different world altogether and need to be seen to be believed.
Given below are some of the most beautiful tourist attractions located below the earth’s surface.
The Catacombs in Paris, France
They may not be beautiful. And they may be pretty spooky. But that’s what so special about this dark underground attraction of a city that is otherwise filled with bright, lively landmarks.
The Catacombs were formed in the 18th century when Paris was reeling under the deaths of thousands of locals who had succumbed to the plague. With no room left to bury the bodies, the city decided to exhume the bones and place them in old quarries located beneath the city’s surface.
The result? An intricate system of tunnels that are stacked from floor to ceiling with human bones, including femurs and skulls. The tunnels are accessible via a staircase and it would be a chilling experience to walk through them, seeing nothing but bones and more bones for miles on end.
The Hidden Beach, Mexico
Located on the secluded Marieta Islands, the Hidden Beach is a secluded shore that is located beneath the earth’s surface. Formed as a result of a volcanic activity that occurred centuries ago, the beach can be reached via a 10 meter long water tunnel (don’t worry, you will have plenty of room to breathe).
The beauty of the Hidden Beach attracts visitors from far and wide. Also called as the Beach of Love or the Playa De Amor, the beach houses crystalline blue sea waters, and is surrounded by exotic wildlife, including manta rays, humpback whales and even dolphins.
The Basilica San Clemente, Italy
Located in Rome, the Basilica San Clemente can look like any other ordinary church at street level. But walk down to the basement and you would enter a different world altogether. For the basement of this seemingly ordinary church houses one of the most magnificent fourth century churches in the entire world.
Touted to have been built way back in the first century, the church was apparently used for secret Christian services until it was accidentally discovered in 1850. The church needs to be seen to be believed and watching the massive structure, you would actually start believing the movie ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’.
The Rio Secreto, Mexico
What would it feel like to discover a giant world of caverns and rivers under the earth’s surface? Well, you can find out for yourself in this underground maze of limestone caverns and pools, not to mention rivers.
The Rio Secreto is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and is actually a massive limestone shelf filled with holes. Resembling a Swiss cheese, the cave contains plenty of mesmerizing open pools and rivers. Guided tours are available inside the Rio Secreto, enabling you to walk through large and small caves and even swim through some of them.
The Valley of the Kings, Egypt
Ever wondered what an Egyptian tomb would look like? Then head over to the Valley of the Kings which is located along the west bank of the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. The bank and surrounding hillside was considered to be the official resting place of the tomb of King Tut, one of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt.
The burial chambers found here date back to over 500 years ago, and contain countless numbers of royal tombs, with several being uncovered even today. The walls of these chambers are covered from floor to ceiling with ornate wall paintings which show the transition of the body to the alternate world.
The Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey
Located in Cappadocia in Turkey is a vast underground city that dates back to the 7th century B.C. Carved out of a volcanic rock, this massive underground city is considered to be the deepest creation of its kind in the region, not to mention the largest.
The city was able to house more than 20,000 residents and had provisions for stables, roads, houses, wineries and even a church. The only thing lacking here is natural sunlight.
The Cu Chi Tunnels
Ever wonder how those army personnel manage to squeeze into tiny holes and remain in the same for hours on end during war? Well, here’s your chance to find out. Located in Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels are an elaborated network of underground tunnels that were used by the guerrillas during the 1968 Tet Offensive.
During this period, it was touted that the guerrillas never left their hiding spots, and would venture out of the holes only after sunset to get supplies. Today, the entire tunnel system which stretches for over 75 miles has become a major tourist attraction with individuals who visit the country. Look out for the marked booby traps though!