25 underground wonders of the world unearthed from the deepest and darkest corners of the world.
9Â Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves located on the North island of New Zealand is famous for its glow worms. Glowworms or Arachnocampa Luminosa are tiny, bioluminescent creatures that emit blue-green light.  Thousands of glowworm twinkle from the ceiling creating a sci-fi landscape as you glide silently by boat.(source)
10 Greenbrier Bunker, White Sulphur Springs, WV
The Greenbrier is a site of massive underground bunker created as an emergency shelter for the US Congress during the cold war. Code-named “Project Greek Island”, it was stocked with supplies for thirty years. The bunker with four entrances, 25-ton blast door, 18 dormitories designed to accommodate 1,100 people, hospital pharmacy , communication area was decommissioned immediately after “The Washington Post” rumbled on it and published the location of it. The declassified bunker now known as “The Bunker” is a tourist attraction.(source)
11 San Clemente Basilica and Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, Rome
The Basilica of San Clemente is a three tiered complex of buildings dedicated to Pope Clement I. The first tier has the present basilica built during the middle ages. Beneath it is the second tier, a 4th century basilica converted from a Roman nobleman’s home. The Third tier is the foundation of the Republican era villa and warehouse that had been destroyed in a great fire.
Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, or Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins is a crypt chapel where everything from the picture frames to the light fitting is created from the bones of the deceased capuchin monks. The dimly lit underground crypt is divided into five chapels. The macabre work of art has attracted tourists from across the world.(source)
12Â Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno, CA
Baldassare Forestiere was a Sicilian visionary responsible for creating the underground gardens. The Sicilian who was deeply enamored of the Roman catacombs was inspired to create one of his own underground abode due to the extremely hot temperatures (in Summer) of the Fresno area. The self-taught builder created a summer bedroom, winter bedroom, a functional bath and the kitchen, a fish pond. Interspersed among the stone walls are grottos and courtyards that allow for natural light to stream in. Forestiereâs 10-acre creation has a subterranean garden comprising of trees and plants, some of which are more than 100 years old!(source)
13Â Cabinet War Rooms, London
Cabinet War Rooms, part of Churchill War Rooms (museum) is a historic underground bunker that functioned as the command center for the British government. Located beneath the treasury building, Whitehall, construction of the complex began in 1938 and the bunker became operational in 1939. They were used throughout the second world war and was abandoned in august 1945. The redecorated museum makes extensive use of audiovisual technology.(source)
14Â Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy (sometimes referred as the opal capital of the world) is derived from aborigines Kupa-piti which means ‘white man’s hole’ is a small town 850 kilometers north of Adelaide. The discovery of Opal led to the establishment of the township. However, extreme heat forced the prospectors and the few who had opted to settle in Coober Pedy to go underground. These homes known as ‘dugouts’ contain all the amenities of the modern houses and is usually dug into the hillsides. Visitors come to see the underground churches.(source)
15Â Mayakovskaya Metro Station, Moscow
Mayakovskaya Metro Station became famous during world war II when an air raid station was located in the station. Stalin was in residence throughout the war. Located 33 meters beneath the surface, the Mayakovskaya Metro Station is considered as one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. The name as well as the design is an ode to Vladimir Mayakovsky, the exponent of futurism.(source)
16Â Dambulla Cave Temple, Sri Lanka
Nestling within the bosom of 600 feet rocky tower is the largest and best preserved Dambulla Cave temple complex. The accredited World Heritage Site is situated in the central part of the country. The cave monastery with its five sanctuaries and Buddhist mural paintings covering an area of 2,100 square meters are important as are the 160 statues.(source)