Museums and underground attractions reveal hidden stories beneath the surface, where architecture, nature and memory meet
Submitted at Apr 30, 2026, 4:00 PM
Capela de Santa Cunegundes, na Polônia (Divulgação/Divulgação)
In some cities, it is necessary to descend a few meters below ground to find their most impressive tourist attractions: corridors, galleries, mines and religious spaces that remain preserved underground centuries after their construction. These are underground museums and attractions that originated precisely from this endurance, bringing together spaces that were not designed for visitation but ended up being incorporated into it. Today, they are part of cultural itineraries that broaden the understanding of the destination.
As you move through them, it becomes evident that the underground concentrates very different uses — from shelter and defense to extraction and worship. These 7 underground museums and attractions reveal these layers without resorting to reconstructions, allowing you to observe directly how these projects were structured and adapted over time.
Below, some examples show how the underground can host surprising experiences, connecting past, architecture and landscape.
The Colosseum's hypogeum reveals the invisible machinery behind the spectacles of Ancient Rome. Beneath the arena, corridors, elevators and compartments were used to transport gladiators, animals and sets, creating dramatic effects during the performances. Today, the visit allows you to observe the complexity of this system and understand how entertainment was carefully staged below the surface.
Subterrâneo do Coliseu (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
Spread across Berlin, the bunkers built during the Second World War were designed as air-raid shelters and strategic centers. Many of these spaces have been preserved and reopened to the public, revealing raw, silent projects that help to understand the urban dimension of the conflict.
Bunkers da Segunda Guerra Mundial (Divulgação/Divulgação)
The underground city of Derinkuyu impresses with its scale and complexity. Carved into volcanic rock, it has multiple levels and was designed to house thousands of people, with areas for housing, storage and ventilation. It is believed to have been used as a refuge during periods of war and religious persecution.
Derinkuyu (Nômades Digitais/Divulgação)
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most emblematic examples of transforming an industrial space into a cultural attraction. In operation since the 13th century, the complex brings together tunnels, sculptures and chapels carved in salt, including the famous Chapel of Saint Kinga. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Mina de Sal de Wieliczka (Wikimedia Commons/Divulgação)
Built about 180 meters below the surface, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá combines architecture, art and spirituality inside a former mine. The space features sculptures and galleries carved in salt, organized in different projects, and welcomes both tourists and worshippers.
Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá (Divulgação/Divulgação)
In the Waitomo Caves, the underground experience connects directly with nature. The rock formations are home to thousands of bioluminescent glowworms that illuminate the ceilings of the caves, creating a quiet, immersive setting. The tour is usually done by boat, allowing you to observe the phenomenon more closely.
Cavernas dos Vaga-lumes (Divulgação/Divulgação)
Under Sé Cathedral, the crypt houses sculptures, altars and tombs of historical figures, such as the chieftain Tibiriçá, one of the first indigenous people to be catechized. The space, less known to the public compared to the main altar, reveals a more introspective dimension of religious architecture.
Cripta da Catedral da Sé. (Museu de Arte Sacra/Divulgação)
