What do you think?
Rate this book
Underground Worlds: A Guide to Spectacular Subterranean Places
A visual and anecdotal exploration of the curious worlds hidden beneath our feet, including ancient cities, salt mine cathedrals, underground amusement parks, and more.
From bone-filled catacombs to sculpted salt churches to hand-carved cave complexes large enough to house 20,000 people, Underground Worlds is packed with more than 50 unusual destinations that take some digging to find. Award-winning travel writer David Farley revels in the unexpected, whether it is a cave city in China which houses one of the world's largest collections of Buddhist art or an old salt mine converted into a theme park in Romania.
Stunning photos help readers see places they could not even imagine, such as a three-story underground train station in Taiwan that is home to the a 4,500-panel "Dome of Light" that is the largest glasswork on Earth, as well as secret spaces, such as an ornate temple built beneath a suburban home in Italy. Throughout the fascinating text are themed entries of underground systems such as the 2,500-year-old water tunnels of Kish Qanat in Iran or engineering marvels like the New York City steam tunnels.
From bone-filled catacombs to sculpted salt churches to hand-carved cave complexes large enough to house 20,000 people, Underground Worlds is packed with more than 50 unusual destinations that take some digging to find. Award-winning travel writer David Farley revels in the unexpected, whether it is a cave city in China which houses one of the world's largest collections of Buddhist art or an old salt mine converted into a theme park in Romania.
Stunning photos help readers see places they could not even imagine, such as a three-story underground train station in Taiwan that is home to the a 4,500-panel "Dome of Light" that is the largest glasswork on Earth, as well as secret spaces, such as an ornate temple built beneath a suburban home in Italy. Throughout the fascinating text are themed entries of underground systems such as the 2,500-year-old water tunnels of Kish Qanat in Iran or engineering marvels like the New York City steam tunnels.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2018
7 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
David Farley
10 books23 followersDavid Farley is the author of "An Irreverent Curiosity: In Search of the Church's Strangest Relic in Italy's Oddest Town" and the co-editor of the essay collection "Travelers' Tales Prague and the Czech Republic: True Stories." He's a Contributing Writer at AFAR magazine and his writing appears in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, New York, and Slate.com, among other publications. His stories have been anthologized many times, including in The Best American Travel Writing 2013. He teaches writing at New York University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 24, 2023
This is a just for fun book that’s a bit of light science and travel. I wouldn’t say it was either in depth or particularly stylish writing, but fine for what it is. Farley says that humans have always been attracted to underground spaces, sometimes for safety, sometimes for religious ceremonies, sometimes for access to water and minerals, for burials and sometimes just for curiosity’s sake.
Some of the sites Farley visits are ancient places such as the caves at Lascaux where prehistoric men painted ceremonial animals, or the later catacombs for the Roman dead. Modern sites include shrines near Turin built by a sect called the Federation of Damanhur. The elaborate subterranean temples are five stories deep and decorated in what the author feels is a Versailles/hippie style. Photos are an integral part of the book and help the reader visualize these amazing places. Another modern site I enjoyed was at Coober Pedy, Australia. It is located in a hot, barren landscape that has been the center of Australian opal mining for more than 100 years. It was discovered by a man looking for water. It’s amazing how many of these sites were found by someone looking for something above ground or someone literally falling in a hole. In any case, at Coober Pedy it is estimated that 60% of the population now lives in homes they excavated mining for opals. The opals can then pay a lot towards building expenses. The home shown in a picture looks quite cozy (rock walls, shelves, arches, ceiling lights, dining table, and wall art). Of course you could not have claustrophobia or need to have windows. The up side here is a lovely year-round temperature while above it can reach 125 degrees.
So many interesting places all over the world. I added a few to my bucket list including an underground bar in Brooklyn and the Louisville KY Mega Cavern that has the world’s only underground zip line and whiskey tasting bar.
So many natural caves, man made excavations, mines, underground train stations, recreation areas, bomb shelters, one-time above ground palaces that are now underground, vast cisterns, sewers and just all-round amazing spots.
Some of the sites Farley visits are ancient places such as the caves at Lascaux where prehistoric men painted ceremonial animals, or the later catacombs for the Roman dead. Modern sites include shrines near Turin built by a sect called the Federation of Damanhur. The elaborate subterranean temples are five stories deep and decorated in what the author feels is a Versailles/hippie style. Photos are an integral part of the book and help the reader visualize these amazing places. Another modern site I enjoyed was at Coober Pedy, Australia. It is located in a hot, barren landscape that has been the center of Australian opal mining for more than 100 years. It was discovered by a man looking for water. It’s amazing how many of these sites were found by someone looking for something above ground or someone literally falling in a hole. In any case, at Coober Pedy it is estimated that 60% of the population now lives in homes they excavated mining for opals. The opals can then pay a lot towards building expenses. The home shown in a picture looks quite cozy (rock walls, shelves, arches, ceiling lights, dining table, and wall art). Of course you could not have claustrophobia or need to have windows. The up side here is a lovely year-round temperature while above it can reach 125 degrees.
So many interesting places all over the world. I added a few to my bucket list including an underground bar in Brooklyn and the Louisville KY Mega Cavern that has the world’s only underground zip line and whiskey tasting bar.
So many natural caves, man made excavations, mines, underground train stations, recreation areas, bomb shelters, one-time above ground palaces that are now underground, vast cisterns, sewers and just all-round amazing spots.
March 16, 2024
This is a beautiful book which is one that you can pick up from time to time to view the information and photographs of underground places of which most of us are unfamiliar. It is divided geographically and some of the locations will surprise you. Most of us are aware of the secrets of the Paris and NYC undergrounds but how many know about the Seattle, WA underground caused by a glue fire in 1889?
Some of the subterranean places that are included are natural but many are man-made and ancient. Human life below ground was often motivated by utilitarian reasons - shelter, safety. and access to minerals and water. But religion also played a part in the creation of these often glorious hidden treasures.
Public tours are available in many of these undergrounds but some are very limited due to the fragility of the site and for the protection of the historic aspects. And, of course, those people who still live underground, certainly don't want crowds looking in their doors!
A lovely, lovely book which I would recommend.
Some of the subterranean places that are included are natural but many are man-made and ancient. Human life below ground was often motivated by utilitarian reasons - shelter, safety. and access to minerals and water. But religion also played a part in the creation of these often glorious hidden treasures.
Public tours are available in many of these undergrounds but some are very limited due to the fragility of the site and for the protection of the historic aspects. And, of course, those people who still live underground, certainly don't want crowds looking in their doors!
A lovely, lovely book which I would recommend.
November 3, 2023
This is the 3rd book that I have read on underground worlds, but they are not all by the same authors. They make for fun and easy reads. And it is nice to know what's under your feet? I am sure that it would also be nice if the reader knew that what I was writing was true or not, but my memory did not hold up with this book. Call it due to age.
There is a city under New York city that will only hold around 55,000 people. They are growing trees and other plants, so that humans can survive Climate change. Notice, only a few of us will make it, if we make it at all. End from what I have read, scientist say that New York will be underwater, so I imagine this city will be too. Who wants to have a city underwater? It would be like an underwater tune. Oh, I am so negative.
There are underground places where humans have stored the remains of others. Bones, bones, bones. And a ghost. A little girl who is looking for her doll. How do we know that is what she is looking for If I were that little girl, I would not want a doll. But visitors are bringing dolls and their stacking up like bones in the. Tomb. Bring Me a violin, a didgeridoo, a flute, and mainly bring me drums. I can make the cave sing.
There is a city under New York city that will only hold around 55,000 people. They are growing trees and other plants, so that humans can survive Climate change. Notice, only a few of us will make it, if we make it at all. End from what I have read, scientist say that New York will be underwater, so I imagine this city will be too. Who wants to have a city underwater? It would be like an underwater tune. Oh, I am so negative.
There are underground places where humans have stored the remains of others. Bones, bones, bones. And a ghost. A little girl who is looking for her doll. How do we know that is what she is looking for If I were that little girl, I would not want a doll. But visitors are bringing dolls and their stacking up like bones in the. Tomb. Bring Me a violin, a didgeridoo, a flute, and mainly bring me drums. I can make the cave sing.
October 21, 2020
A fascinating overview of some of the most interesting subterranean spaces the world has to offer. Ancient cisterns, necropolises, vast underground cities and more. The photography is tantalising, and the write-ups entertaining and informative.
September 9, 2018
This book makes me wanna go and visit some of these places.
February 26, 2019
2019 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
#9 A book you meant to read in 2018
First off, right off the bat, whoever allowed the font in this book to happen needs a swift kick in the shins. Because seriously:
That is a capital G and a capital C that are nearly indistinguishable at a glance, at least for me. It really slowed my reading down having to double check constantly.
Beyond that, I think I was just disappointed compared to what I expected. I wanted a lot more pictures and less descriptions. There's some really cool sites listed, and some I'd absolutely love to visit but honestly I'd rather just Google them and see more that way.
There were some pretty glaring errors text-wise, too.
Overall not bad but a little disappointed.
#9 A book you meant to read in 2018
First off, right off the bat, whoever allowed the font in this book to happen needs a swift kick in the shins. Because seriously:
That is a capital G and a capital C that are nearly indistinguishable at a glance, at least for me. It really slowed my reading down having to double check constantly.
Beyond that, I think I was just disappointed compared to what I expected. I wanted a lot more pictures and less descriptions. There's some really cool sites listed, and some I'd absolutely love to visit but honestly I'd rather just Google them and see more that way.
There were some pretty glaring errors text-wise, too.
Overall not bad but a little disappointed.
March 31, 2020
I think the advertising I saw for this book and the cover design are misleading. I thought the book was about caves and natural spaces, but it focuses almost exclusively on man-made underground spaces. However, the information presented is really interesting and I learned a lot and added some things to my travel bucket-list, so I wasn't disappointed! That being said, if you are into caves but not into human history/archaeology, this is not the book for you.
February 11, 2021
I have to confess that I couldn't resist buying this book when I saw an offer for it - hidden worlds underground, some built by man, some adapted by him. It sounded fascinating, and it doesn't disappoint. From temples to tombs, from caves to subways, this book is filled with wonderful places, strange facts and delightful pictures. It's a celebration of human ingenuity and natural beauty. Enjoy!
December 1, 2018
Too bad tessering doesn't exist. I'd grab my passport and go.
May 10, 2019
Nicely bound and good quality photographs. However, not nearly enough information on many of the locations featured and the ones I'm familiar with had misleading or just plain wrong information.
October 26, 2019
Great pictures of interesting underground places.
April 12, 2020
Lots of fascinating places from around the world.
February 21, 2023
would have been 4 stars, but in the last section they call the channel tunnel the 'Chunnel' and that is tremendously upsetting to me, so 3 stars it is
March 3, 2025
Underground Worlds has places I've added to my travel wish list!
January 22, 2021
David Farley has gone to great lengths, and depths, to explore more than 50 wonders hidden away beneath our feet. His choices range from a whole subterranean city in Cappodocia to CERN and the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, and catacombs underlying more than one city, as well as salt mines, cathedrals, tombs, shrines, tunnels and amusement parks (including places where you can ride zip lines in the deeps, and bungee jump into utter darkness, or even, if your timing's right, take a ride in a hot air balloon while staying completely underground).
The description of each of these destinations is kept brief, but he also provides some gorgeous photography to illustrate each entry, and a wealth of intriguing trivia. Example: the odd items found by the very first man to ever map the sewer system under Paris included the bones of an orangutan who'd escaped from the Paris zoo years before! Then there's a micronation of 600 people living underground outside Turin, in Italy. And a cave used for Peruvian rituals that predate the Incas.
The whole book is a treat you can dip into again and again, and for the writer, it's chockful of story settings and ideas that would spark anybody's imagination. I'm keeping this one handy for that very purpose.
The description of each of these destinations is kept brief, but he also provides some gorgeous photography to illustrate each entry, and a wealth of intriguing trivia. Example: the odd items found by the very first man to ever map the sewer system under Paris included the bones of an orangutan who'd escaped from the Paris zoo years before! Then there's a micronation of 600 people living underground outside Turin, in Italy. And a cave used for Peruvian rituals that predate the Incas.
The whole book is a treat you can dip into again and again, and for the writer, it's chockful of story settings and ideas that would spark anybody's imagination. I'm keeping this one handy for that very purpose.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews