5 societies of people you didn’t know live underground
These communities have found unique ways to make their homes beneath the earth.
However, some societies have adapted to living underground, either by choice or out of necessity. These underground communities have thrived in different parts of the world for centuries, with people building homes, businesses, and entire lives beneath the surface.
1. Coober Pedy, Australia
2. Cappadocia, Turkey
3. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Setenil de las Bodegas is a small town in southern Spain where many homes and businesses are built directly into the cliffs of a narrow river gorge. Rather than excavating fully underground, the town’s residents have incorporated the natural rock formations into their homes, with some structures nestled under large overhanging rocks. This unique setup not only provides natural protection from the weather but also creates a beautiful and unusual landscape. The town is famous for its whitewashed buildings that seamlessly blend into the rocky surroundings.
4. Matmata, Tunisia
5. Beijing’s Underground City, China
During the Cold War era, Beijing constructed an extensive underground city designed to shelter residents in the event of a nuclear attack. Known as the “Underground Great Wall,” this vast network of tunnels spans over 85 square kilometres (33 square miles) beneath the city. While it was never used for its intended purpose, parts of the underground city have since been repurposed into living quarters for some of Beijing’s residents, particularly migrant workers who seek affordable housing in the crowded metropolis.