Creepy Tunnel Systems Beneath Major Cities

For many people, going underground represents one of their worst fears come to life. Heading down into a dark, cold, dank environment with no clue about where the exit is and how to get there is for many people the stuff of nightmares. But for others, an underground tunnel represents endless opportunities to explore and discover new places.

This list of tunnels is perfect for the seasoned explorer who wants a different experience than just regular day-to-day sightseeing. The next time you’re visiting one of these cities, check out their legendary tunnels and get ready to be inspired.

1. The Catacombs of Paris

The Catacombs of Paris were created as a way of solving two major problems that the city of Paris was dealing with in the mid 1700s. They were experiencing a series of cave-ins at local cemeteries because of the vast weight of all the graves, and they were also experiencing major overcrowding, with no new space available for burial anywhere within the city limits. To deal with this, city officials moved older bones into underground ossuaries, and hired museum director Louis-Etienne Hericart de Thury to sculpt the bones into a mausoleum magnificent enough for visitors. Now, tourists still visit the catacombs to see the macabre designs, executed entirely in human bone.

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