Buzz
In ancient civilizations, death was far more present and visible in everyday life. Life spans were shorter, and there were no hospitals to conceal the dying. This proximity to death led people to believe that the afterlife was just as immediate and within reach.
10. Alepotrypa
Alepotrypa (‘Foxhole’) in Greece is an enormous cave system that could have inspired the dark myth of Hades. Within the cave lies a lake, possibly the crossing point for souls between realms.
The cave remained hidden for thousands of years until a hunter, accompanied by his dog chasing foxes, accidentally stumbled upon it. The fox managed to escape, but the dog uncovered a significant archaeological site.
Starting around 6,000 years ago, the cave became a site for burials and rituals. Among the 170 individuals buried there, pottery and other offerings were discovered. One couple was even found locked in an embrace, symbolizing their shared journey to the afterlife.
9. Actun Tunichil Muknal
Actun Tunichil Muknal, a cave in Belize, was once believed to be the gateway to the Mayan Underworld, Xibalba. Rituals performed here involved fire, offerings of pottery, and human sacrifice. Victims were brought into the cave, struck on the head with enough force to crack their skulls, and left where they collapsed. The pottery was then shattered, and the deceased were left to make their final journey.
Beyond its mythical significance, the cave also holds a tangible transformation. To reach it, visitors must wade through waters deep enough to reach the neck and squeeze through narrow gaps. The water seeps into the cave, depositing minerals that have coated the victims' skeletons, making them appear as though they are bound to the cave floor by sparkling crystals. One particular skeleton is famously known as the Crystal Maiden.
8. Plutonium
In addition to being a radioactive element, Plutonium also refers to a gateway to the Greek Underworld—Pluto's Gate. Located in Hierapolis, now modern-day Pamukkale in Turkey, there's a spot that locals ominously call the 'demon's hole.' It is here that the remains of a shrine dedicated to Pluto were uncovered.
The Plutonium, or Plutonion, at Hierapolis was described by ancient writers, but it was only recently discovered beside the ruins of a temple to Apollo. As excavation work progressed, the eerie allure of the Plutonium became evident. The site is above a natural opening that releases carbon dioxide. During the dig, birds that ventured too close to the site suffocated and died.
7. Masaya Volcano
When the Conquistadors arrived in Nicaragua, they came upon the erupting Masaya volcano and promptly named it La Boca del Infierno—The Mouth of Hell. While the local people didn’t view the volcano as a portal to the underworld, the Spanish were convinced, placing a cross at the crater’s edge in an attempt to exorcise the devil. St. Gregory had declared that all volcanoes were mouths of hell.
The locals did sacrifice children and women in the volcanic lava as a means of ending droughts, believing the mountain to be a deity that needed appeasement. The Spanish, steeped in Christian beliefs, may have mistaken this local god for a devilish manifestation of Satan.
One friar wrote, 'The fire of the volcano in Nicaragua (Masaya), burning without fuel, must surely be the mouth of Hell, and its flames must be supernatural and hellish, the place from which the damned are cast by demons.' The large quantities of sulfur dioxide the volcano emits would certainly have been enough to make it seem like hell itself.
6. Lake Pergusa
Sicily is home to Mount Etna, another fiery volcano famous for its association with the underworld. It is also the place where Hades abducted Persephone, the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of harvest, and brought her to his realm. The poet Ovid tells the tale of Persephone’s abduction while she was near Lake Pergusa, after which Ceres, devastated by her loss, forbade anything from growing. Eventually, an agreement was reached where Persephone would spend six months above ground during spring and summer, and six months in the Underworld with her new husband, during autumn and winter.
Every year in spring, Persephone emerges from the Underworld and rises through Lake Pergusa. Not far from here, Mount Etna once hosted a temple dedicated to Ceres, where the goddess would wait for her daughter’s return.
5. Door To Hell
In Turkmenistan, there is a crater that has been burning continuously. Its origins are debated, but it is a relatively recent phenomenon. One version of the story traces it back to a Soviet expedition in 1971, during which the team, while drilling for natural gas, discovered their borehole was leaking toxic gases. The solution they chose was to ignite the gases. The fire has been burning ever since.
Known as the Darvaza Crater, or the Door to Hell, this fiery site may not have ancient roots, but it has certainly become a tourist attraction in an otherwise desolate region. Interestingly, the heat from the crater seems to attract spiders, who, drawn to its warmth, end up tumbling into the blazing depths.
4. Hells Of Beppu
Unlike some of the other hellish entrances on this list, the Hells of Beppu in Japan are easily accessible by bus and are even recognized as a Place of Scenic Beauty. Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan is rich in volcanic activity, with hot springs being common. The boiling pools in Beppu, often surrounded by vibrant colored muds, captivated early visitors who likened them to jigoku, or Buddhist hells.
The Hells of Beppu encompass various phenomena, from the stunning Sea Hell with its brilliant blue waters to the eerie Chinoike-Jigoku (Blood Pond Hell), where red waters and crimson steam fill the air. While these natural wonders have a picturesque allure, they also harbor a grim history. In ancient times, these scalding waters were used for torture and execution.
3. Necromanteion Of Ephyra
Hades is home to five rivers, and the Necromanteion of Ephyra is situated beside three of them: Acheron (the 'River of Woe'), Pyriphlegethon (the 'Flaming River'), and Cocytus (the 'River of Wailing'). It was across the Acheron that Charon, the ferryman, would carry the souls of the dead. At the Necromanteion, one could attempt to make contact with those from the other side of the river.
To use the Necromanteion, participants would undergo a cleansing ritual before descending into underground passages, passing through several iron gates. In the pitch blackness, lanterns would be lit, revealing shadowy figures of the deceased in the flickering light.
Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered wheels, ratchets, and mechanisms that could potentially have been used for moving a human image. Even though the Necromanteion stood close to the rivers of the underworld, it seems the priests still required more than spirits to perform their rites.
2. Cave Of The Sibyl
In ancient times, prophecies were taken seriously. People believed that certain individuals, under the influence of a god, had the ability to foresee the future. Across the world, there were sibyls, female prophets, whom people would visit for answers to their questions. The most famous of these prophets resided in Italy, at Cumae.
In The Aeneid, Aeneas seeks out the Sibyl of Cumae in her cave. She informs him that in order to fulfill his destiny and found a great nation, Rome, he must journey into the Underworld. There, he encounters the spirits of the Illustrious Dead.
In The Aeneid, the Sibyl speaks from a cave with 100 mouths, a feature that amplifies her prophecies. In 1932, a cave in Cumae, believed to be the Sibyl's, was discovered. While it has several entrances, it doesn't quite match the grandiose description of 100 mouths from the epic.
1. Fengdu City Of Ghosts
On Ming Mountain in China, a sprawling complex of temples and shrines has developed, all connected to the afterlife and the journey to it. The mountain's association with hell began when two seekers of wisdom, Yin and Wang, traveled there to follow Taoist teachings. They became immortal sages, and it was the combination of their names—Yinwang, meaning 'king of hell'—that led to the creation of the City of Ghosts.
Visitors hoping to avoid hell must undergo three trials. The first challenge is crossing the Nothing-To-Be-Done-Bridge, which connects this world to the next. Only the virtuous can pass; the wicked will fall. The second test takes place at Ghost Torturing Pass, where the deceased are judged. The final trial involves balancing on one leg for three minutes on a stone—those who fail will topple into hell. It turns out, a good sense of balance is crucial for the soul’s fate.
+Further Reading
If you're still craving more terrifying tales of hell, our archives have a wealth of chilling content to satisfy your dark curiosity!
10 Visions Of Hell That Will Scare The Crap Out Of You 10 Fascinating Descriptions Of Hell 10 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Satan 10 Real Places Straight Out Of A Nightmare
