You might have visited some of the world's most famous attractions, but have you uncovered their hidden secrets? Beyond the surface, these renowned landmarks harbour deep mysteries – hidden chambers, secret tunnels, ancient rituals and covert apartments.
Click through this gallery to discover the secrets hiding behind the world's most iconic sites…
After you've explored the National Portrait Gallery, taken a selfie with Nelson’s Column and dodged the crowds and pigeons that populate this London hotspot in equal numbers, head to the southeast corner of Trafalgar Square. There, you might discover one of London's peculiar secrets: the city's smallest police station.
Built into a lamp post (yes, really), this micro station was installed in 1926 to give police keeping watch on demonstrators at the popular protest site a direct line to Scotland Yard. Today, its use is rather more mundane – it’s used as a storeroom for cleaners.
The Colosseum, officially known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, stands as a monumental symbol of ancient Rome's architectural prowess and engineering ingenuity. It was primarily used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles, and draws millions of visitors each year. However, few venture into the hypogeum, a network of underground tunnels and chambers beneath the arena floor.
This subterranean space was once used to hold gladiators and exotic animals, including elephants, leopards, panthers and bears, before they were lifted into the main arena by a system of winches and pulleys. Previously closed to the public, tours of the hypogeum have been available for several years now, and are well worth a look.
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Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station, the first railway station to be built in an Australian city, is one of the city's most beloved buildings. The terminal has appeared in several movies, but visitors rushing to catch their trains might not notice one of its most fascinating elements: a secret abandoned ballroom.
Located on the third floor, the ballroom once buzzed with concerts, competitions and public dances. Though it has stood empty since the early 1980s, artist Rone breathed new life into it in 2022 as part of his Time exhibition. Rone transformed 11 abandoned rooms within the station, filling them with original and meticulously recreated period objects. Among these, the ballroom featured a stunning arched glasshouse intertwined with vines, capturing the essence of its past grandeur.
Perched atop the hill al-Sabika, on the left bank of the river Darro, Granada’s imposing Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex renowned for its stunning Islamic architecture – and it offers plenty to intrigue you above ground. However, even more mysteries lie hidden beneath the majestic palace...
A network of subterranean water channels lies beneath the grand Moorish palace of the Alhambra. While local legends speak of tunnels connecting the Alhambra with Albaicin, the town’s old Arabic neighbourhood, these tales remain speculative. Historically, the known underground features were most likely used for water supply and storage, rather than secret passages for movement during sieges.
Designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, the Monument was erected at the end of London Bridge in 1677 to celebrate the rebuilding of the city after the Great Fire of London. It stands at a height of 202 feet (62m), the exact distance from its base to the site where the fire started on Pudding Lane. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors have climbed its steps to enjoy views over the capital, but the Monument is more than just an observation point…
In fact, the Monument was originally conceived as a giant telescope and intended as a site for scientific experiments. Although inaccessible to the public, there's a small laboratory situated beneath the structure. Rather disappointingly, however, it has primarily served as a space for maintenance and other operational needs.
It has been in countless movies, offers exceptional views across New York City and was once the tallest building in the world. The Empire State Building plays host to millions of visitors every year, but most are unaware of the skyscraper's big secret...
While many visitors enjoy the views from the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, the Empire State Building offers an even more exclusive experience on the 103rd floor. Access to this deck is reserved for special events and VIPs, with celebrities such as David Beckham being escorted through designated entrances for a special, railing-free viewing experience.
The Eiffel Tower is another renowned landmark with a fascinating hidden space – an apartment on the topmost platform, just below the spire. Constructed by architect Gustave Eiffel for his own personal use, the apartment was surrounded by an open-air balcony, and was intended primarily as a workspace.
Today, a small portion of Eiffel’s apartment has been historically reconstructed and is open for public viewing through a glass partition. Inside, you’ll find life-like wax models of Monsieur Eiffel himself, his daughter Claire, and their famed guest, American inventor Thomas Edison.
Milan’s grand Stazione Centrale, one of Europe’s biggest and most impressive train stations, isn't just a transportation hub but also an architectural marvel, showcasing a mix of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Its grand facade and detailed interior reflect the design and engineering skills of the early 20th century – but it also hides a fascinating secret...
Within this large station is the Padiglione Reale (Royal Pavilion), a hidden gem offering a peek into the luxury of the past. Originally built as a private and luxurious waiting area for the Italian royal family and other important guests, it was decorated with rich ornaments, elegant furniture and detailed artworks – a stark contrast to the busy station. This private area has been carefully preserved, keeping its historical charm, and remains a quiet reminder of a time when travel was more luxurious and exclusive.
Sir Christopher Wren's majestic St Paul's Cathedral is an iconic landmark in London’s skyline, renowned for its architectural brilliance and historical significance. Completed in the early 18th century after the Great Fire of London, the cathedral is a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture – and known for its hidden treasures.
One seldom-seen yet stunning feature is the Geometrical Staircase in the southwest tower, which connects the cathedral floor to the triforium. Movie enthusiasts may recognise this staircase as the pathway to the Divination classroom in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and visitors can explore the architectural marvel on guided tours, which also include the library, Trophy Room and the Great Model – a detailed wooden scale model of St Paul's created by Sir Christopher Wren in the 1670s.
Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most iconic attractions, drawing more than two million visitors every year. Carved into the granite face of the Black Hills in South Dakota, this monumental sculpture features the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, symbolising the birth, growth, development and preservation of the United States. However, many visitors are unaware of the hidden corridor that lies behind the colossal granite head of Abraham Lincoln.
The monument's sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, envisioned the secret passage as the Hall of Records – a grand room designed to house America’s most significant documents and artefacts. Although financial constraints and Borglum’s death in 1941 left the Hall incomplete, in 1998 a repository containing important records and texts, such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and a biography of Borglum was placed in a teakwood box inside a titanium vault, which was then sealed within the Hall.
At one of America's most renowned addresses, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, surprises await beneath the surface. Beyond the familiar West Wing and Oval Office, the White House basement houses an array of intriguing spaces. Among these is the White House Carpentry Shop, where craftsmen maintain the building's custom woodwork, the Flower Shop, responsible for creating floral arrangements for events and ceremonies, and a sporting surprise...
A more recreational aspect of the basement is the bowling alley, installed during the Truman administration and later refurbished under Nixon, offering a unique pastime for the First Family and their guests. Who do you think was better at bowling, Barack or Michelle?
Beneath the hotel lies Track 61, a clandestine railway spur designed for VIP access directly from Grand Central Terminal. This hidden gem of New York City history played an important role during Franklin D Roosevelt's presidency. Stricken with polio, Roosevelt used a special train car equipped to accommodate his wheelchair to discreetly arrive at the Waldorf Astoria, keeping his polio diagnosis largely hidden from the public. Today, Track 61 is no longer in use, although occasional special tours for private organisations allow limited access to view the remnants of the old railway facilities.
The Taj Mahal, often hailed as one of the world's most stunning structures, holds a deeply romantic history. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth, it stands as a testament to enduring love. Inside the impressive building lie the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan, but all is not what it seems...
What many visitors don’t know is that the actual tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a chamber below the main level of the Taj Mahal, at garden level. These tombs are the true burial places of the emperor and his wife and are not accessible to the public. Access to this lower level is restricted, and visitors to the Taj Mahal can only view the cenotaphs from the main chamber.
As the oldest part of the capital, the City of London is full of secrets: hidden lanes, peculiar signs and odd little buildings. But many of its most ancient secrets lie hidden beneath your feet – and the medieval Guildhall is no exception...
Visiting the Guildhall Art Gallery, headquarters of the Lord Mayor of London, offers a glimpse into a hidden treasure trove, including a remarkable ancient find. In the 1980s, archaeologists unearthed the remains of what was once Britain's largest Roman amphitheatre beneath the gallery. This historical site is now open to the public free of charge, providing a unique opportunity to explore London's rich Roman heritage firsthand.
Grand Central Terminal in New York City is much more than a train station – it's a destination packed with history and things to do. Besides its famous platforms, you'll find shops, a bustling food market and even a hidden tennis court. Yes, really.
On the fourth floor of the terminal is a hidden gem in the form of the Vanderbilt Tennis Club. Originally opened in 1965 the club offers a rare opportunity to play tennis right in the heart of Manhattan. Open to the public from early morning until late at night, you can enjoy a game of tennis while soaking in the grandeur and history of one of the city's most iconic spaces.
Stunning photos of abandoned railway stations around the world
While many visitors flock to Paris’ iconic museum for its renowned art collections, the history of the building itself is equally captivating. Originally constructed as a fortress in the 13th century under King Philippe Auguste, remnants of its medieval past still linger for those who know where to look…
During the construction of the glass pyramid, archaeologists excavated the original moat, which lay approximately 23 feet (7m) below the Cour Carree. To experience this remarkable piece of engineering history, visitors can wander through the medieval section of the Sully Wing, where remnants of the ancient moat are on display, showcasing the Louvre's fascinating evolution from fortress to world-renowned museum.
The sprawling Piazza del Popolo in Rome stands as a grand and bustling square adorned with churches, elegant fountains and a prominent Egyptian obelisk. But despite its current lively atmosphere, its history reveals a darker past…
Believed to have been constructed on the grounds of Emperor Nero's familial estate and burial site, the square carries echoes of ancient intrigue and legend. According to medieval tales, the malevolent spirit of Nero was said to haunt a tree on the premises until the Vatican intervened, exorcising the area, removing the tree and subsequently erecting the Santa Maria del Popolo church, from which the square derives its name. Gulp.
Opened in 1873 and designed by renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, the prestigious Midland Grand Hotel was the epitome of a majestic railway hotel. While most people are aware of the sumptuously restored St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which reopened in 2011 after decades of neglect, few know what else is tucked away...
St Pancras has a private apartment housed within its iconic clock tower, featuring expansive Gothic windows and original 19th-century iron staircases. The luxury space can be booked for private events and hosts tours just once a year, so seeing it in person isn’t as easy as just turning up.
Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranks as one of the largest mosques globally, capable of hosting over 40,000 worshippers. Featuring 82 domes, over 1,000 columns and several 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers, its interior is a masterclass in opulence. However, the most luxurious aspect may be one you've overlooked: the floor.
The mosque is home to the world's largest handmade carpet. It was crafted by approximately 1,200 artisans over the course of two years, weighs about 35 tonnes and covers an area of over 60,000 square feet (5,574sqm). Impressive.
A visit to the magnificent Art Deco theatre in Midtown Manhattan, Radio City Music Hall, is a must for many New York visitors. While many go there to see the spectacular Rockettes or to admire the venue's splendour, few know about a hidden gem within the building: the Roxy Suite.
This secret apartment, given to Samuel 'Roxy' Rothafel by the Rockefellers in 1932, was largely forgotten after his death in 1936. Designed by Donald Deskey, the Art Deco suite, featuring cherry-panelled walls and a gold leaf ceiling, served as a luxurious space where Rothafel entertained notable figures like Walt Disney, Judy Garland and Alfred Hitchcock. Today, the Roxy Suite is open for tours and private events, offering a glimpse into its glamorous past.
Built at the start of the 20th century, The Lincoln Memorial is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. However, the great monument hides an equally giant secret. Below it lies a 43,800-square-foot (4,069sqm) underground chamber, known as the Undercroft, which contains graffiti from the 1910s.
The cavern, built to support the structures above, was forgotten about until the 1970s. It was rediscovered and briefly opened for tours before being closed due to asbestos issues. Renovations are underway to transform this space into an immersive museum, which is expected to open by 2026. This project, timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, will include exhibition spaces, a theatre and preserved historical elements like original builder graffiti.
The Binnenhof, located in The Hague, is a historic complex of buildings that serves as the political heart of the Netherlands. It houses the Prime Minister's office, the Ministry of General Affairs and the meeting places for both houses of the Dutch Parliament: The Senate and the House of Representatives. It also houses a secret library…
Bibliophiles will love the enchanting Handelingenkamer. The library features old-fashioned ladders, balustrades and a glass roof that floods the room with natural light. However, public access is typically limited to special occasions, such as Heritage Day or Architecture Day, making it a rare treat for visitors.
The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1705, recently reopened after an £8.5 million ($11m) conservation project. The conservation efforts, which began in 2016, focused on restoring the hall's vast array of ceiling and wall paintings by Sir James Thornhill, masterpieces of English Baroque art. But, during the restoration, a surprising discovery was made...
Despite being one of the most important Tudor residences, Greenwich Palace (pictured) fell into disrepair during the English Civil War and was eventually demolished. Remnants of the old structure remain and are still being unearthed today. Excavations in 2017 led to the rediscovery of two rooms from Henry VIII's long-lost palace, including a cellar believed to have been used for storing beehive baskets (skeps) during the winter. These rooms were uncovered beneath a concrete floor and have now been incorporated into the interpretation area for visitors.
Tower Bridge, an iconic symbol of London, was designed by architect Sir Horace Jones and engineer Sir John Wolfe Barry. Completed in 1894 after eight years of construction, the bridge was built to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the bustling Pool of London docks. Since then, it has become one of the most famous and photographed bridges in the world, but few have been underneath it to see its inner workings…
Constructed below the River Thames, the cavernous Bascule Chambers of Tower Bridge are vast brick-lined spaces designed to house the massive counterweights that the bridge uses to lift. These chambers, crucial to the bridge's operation, are usually inaccessible to the public but have become one of London's coolest and most covert venues for concerts and events. Occasionally the chambers open for behind-the-scenes tours, offering a rare glimpse into this hidden world beneath one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Attracting both tourists and locals eager to see the Crown Jewels, learn about the infamous ravens and explore tales of imprisonment, the historic Tower of London certainly enthralls visitors. But did you know you can also witness a 700-year-old ceremony that takes place within the Tower's walls every evening?
Known as the Ceremony of the Keys, the traditional locking up of the tower by the Chief Yeoman Warder has taken place without fail for seven centuries. The exact same wording has been used by the sentry and warders for all these years, aside from the name of the reigning monarch. Tickets to watch this intriguing historic ritual are free but must be pre-booked.
The majestic Colossi of Memnon are among the many striking monuments on Luxor’s west bank. These immense statues, built to guard the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, are renowned not only for their size and grandeur but also for a fascinating acoustic phenomenon. After an earthquake in 27 BC caused the northern statue to crack, it began emitting an ethereal whistling sound at sunrise, which ancient visitors described as ‘singing’. This sound was likely due to the warming of the stone by the sun, causing dew to evaporate and air to escape through the cracks.
In the third century AD, Emperor Septimius Severus ordered repairs that inadvertently silenced the statues – but inscriptions left by ancient visitors, including several Roman emperors, can still be seen on the bases. These inscriptions, which date back to between the first and third centuries AD, record whether visitors heard the statues ‘sing’. There are approximately 90 inscriptions that are still legible today, offering a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world's interaction with these monuments.
The Domus Aurea, also known as the Golden House, was constructed by Emperor Nero after the great fire of Rome in AD 64 and served as a grandiose palace complex. It featured more than 300 rooms, ornate gardens and a hidden chamber – only discovered in 2018.
During restoration work in late 2018, archaeologists unearthed an underground room, now referred to as the 'Room of the Sphinx' (Sala della Sfinge). This hidden chamber (pictured) lay concealed for nearly 2,000 years and is rich in Roman frescoes including images of panthers, centaurs and a sphinx. It's thought these images were painted by imperial Roman craftsmen between AD 65 and 68.
With its fortress-like castellations and bell tower, Florence's Palazzo Vecchio is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Serving as Florence's town hall, this historic building has a rich and enthralling history. Among its many secrets is a hidden staircase, built by the Duke of Athens, Walter of Brienne, in the 14th century to allow for covert nightly exits during his rule. This staircase was also used as an escape route during a rebellion in 1343.
When Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife Eleonora of Toledo decided to transform the palace into their residence, they added even more secret passages and hidden chambers. Today, visitors can explore some of these fascinating features on special tours that reveal the palace’s hidden staircases, secret rooms and clandestine corridors.
The ruins of the once-monumental city of Teotihuacan make up one of Mexico’s most enigmatic archaeological sites, with many mysteries still surrounding its origin and demise. The Pyramid of the Moon, the second-largest structure in Teotihuacan, was built in multiple stages from around 100 BC to AD 450 – and in 2023 archaeologists made a startling discovery in the form of a hidden tunnel.
The tunnel leads to a chamber that is believed to have been used for rituals, possibly symbolising the underworld, reflecting the ancient Teotihuacan civilisation's cosmological beliefs. The discovery offers significant potential for understanding the rituals and symbolic practices of the ancient city. In fact, researchers are eager to delve deeper into the subterranean passage, hoping it will lead to the long-sought tombs of the city’s ruling elite, which could provide unprecedented insights into the leadership and social structure of this enigmatic civilisation.
The Statue of Liberty, officially named ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’, was a gift from France to the United States to commemorate the centennial of American independence and the enduring friendship between the two nations. Around 3.5 million people visit the iconic symbol of freedom and democracy every year – but there is a little-known fact about the famous statue...
The Statue of Liberty's torch contains an observatory at its highest point, but it has been off-limits to visitors since 1916. That year, a massive explosion on Black Tom Island, caused by German saboteurs, significantly damaged the torch, and despite repairs it has never reopened to the public.
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