Cities Of The Underground Season 1 Review: What's Hidden Under Your Feet?

"Cities Of The Underground" premiered on the History channel in 2007. There are currently three seasons (each with 13 episodes each). Eric Geller hosted the show initially (episodes 1-8,14). Don Wilman took over midway through season 1. "Cities" offers an interesting historical perspective to each site they cover. Season 1 is currently available for free on Amazon Prime. I dare say many of the people living above theses sites have any idea what's beneath them.

Below are the episodes from season 1 with a few points of interest:

Istanbul- PILOT- Istanbul, Turkey. originally aired as "Ancient Marvels: Cities Of The Underground". This is listed as the first episode by Wikipedia but is not on Prime. The first episode there is "City Of Caves". Other episodes that we didnt see as part of season 1 include: "Dracula's Underground" and "Underground Bootleggers"
Scotland's Sin City- Edinburgh- Edinburgh is a very interesting city because it is built on an extinct volcano. The highest point in the city houses Edinburgh Castle. The rest of the original city stretches below it on the steep slope. This is because everyone was trying to stay inside the castle walls for protection. Thus there was very little room for expansion. Since they couldnt build out, the ever inventive Scots built up-- creating the world's first high rises. At some point they elevated the steep slopes to make the streets level. This created a vast underground inhabited by the lower classes and were areas of alcohol smuggling, drug use and prostitution. The lack of sanitation in earlier times is also discussed. Yuck!
Hitler's Underground Lair- Berlin- Roughly 60% of the buildings in Berlin were destroyed in WWII. Hitler's plans for the capital of Germania (modeled after gigantic Roman structures) never came to fruition. There are remnants of underground highways meant to transport citizens in and out of the cities. The Volkshalle would have been the world's largest domed building, and could hold some 180000 people. It is estimated that the body heat from that many people (the average person generates the same heat as a 100 watt light bulb) would cause rain to form inside the dome. Hitler has plans for lots of other massive structures. Many would have been impossible to build because Berlin sits on a swamp and there is no solid rock to build on. They visit an interesting building that was a gas storage facility turned into an above ground and underground bunker. Its circular design helped protect those inside from the shock waves of bombs. It held thousands of people and operated like a small city. The hills in Berlin are actually man made and are from all the debris that was left from the destruction of the city. Dig down a few feet and there's no telling what you'll find.
Real Mafia Underground- On the island of Sicily in the city of Palermo, the Beati Paoli was a secret society that dispensed vigilante justice. They may be the predecessors of the modern mob. There is an extensive network of qanats (irrigation tunnels) previously used to water the cities extensive citrus groves. The mafia at times used them to escape from the authorities. One of the most spine tingling discoveries is a crypt sealed under a church in Palermo. Inside it is a pit filled with human bones. Not much is known about what happened. It is believed these were the victims of the Sicilian Vespers-- a conflict began during Easter Vespers outside the church of Santo Spirito in 1282. The conflict was between the Sicilians (and Peter III of Aragon who said he was the rightful king) and the French King Charles of Anjou. The citizens killed some 2000 French inhabitants over two days. The conflict ended in 1302. The battle stands as a (bloody) example of how a general population can overthrow its monarch.
Rome's Hidden Empire- Rome is of course known for its above ground ruins-- such as the Circus Maximus,the Colosseum, Forum, Hippdrome, etc. Many people dont know about it's underground treasurers. Eric visits a Mithras temple. They secretly worshiped the god Mithras (god of the Sun).Most followers were in the military. The cult emphasized courage and honor and revered the bull. It is said that Emperor Nero started a fire in Rome in 64 AD to make room for his palatial palace. The fire ended up destroying 70% of the city. Ruins of buildings constructed by Emperors Domitian Trajan and Augustus are also highlighted. See other info here WantedInRome and Viator
Catacombs Of Death- Paris' underground is the final resting place for some 6 million people. That's almost 3 times the current population. Space for the catacombs (created when the cemeteries filled up) competes with a sewage system, a water system and the metro. Did you know Paris is built on the old Roman city of Lutetia? I had never heard of it. There are a number of different underground tours. Check them out WorldInParis
City Of Caves- Budapest, Hungary was created when the cities of Buda (with its curvy hills) and Pest (with its flat land) separated by the Danube River were joined together. The entire country sits in what millions of years ago was a brackish lake. Over time the water subsides leaving one of the most extensive cave systems of any city in the world. Budapest has been invaded some 32 times by the Romans, Turks, Mongols as well as suffering serious damage from the Russians in WWII. A secret underground hospital was used by the military. It worked well until the other side found out about it. Everyone inside was massacred since there was no escape. The country remained under Communist rule until 1989. The city also sits atop of a number of aquifers which supply fresh water and water for public baths (which are an important cultural component). Also visited are the springs of St Ivan and the Cave Church of St Stephen. See other info here-- CNN and Matador Network
New York- The basement under Grand Central Terminal is the deepest and largest in New York-- more than 11 stories deep. It houses a secret area known as M42. This is the power station that runs the terminal. It was heavily guarded during WWII. Trespassers could be shot on sight. A train route created to take FDR into the Waldorf Astoria Hotel is also explored. This was so no one would see him entering/exiting a car and realize he couldnt walk due to polio. Of course a city the size of New York has a massive water, sewage and metro structure to support it. Pumps run all the time under ground to keep water from seeping into the underground areas.
London's Lost Cities- Did you know 80% of London buried to the ground in 1666? West Wickham holds the previous headquarters of the Hell Fire Club. It's underneath the St Lawrence Church. Many prominent members of British society (including Lord Dashwood) belonged as well as Benjamin Franklin. They supposedly worked Satan (or just got drunk and had orgies, who knows?). The club disbanded in 1774. Grave robbing became big business in London in early 1800s. Medical schools needed cadavers for research. The pay was so good that suppliers starting robbing graves. Cemeteries went to great extents to protect the dead. When there werent enough bodies, graverobbers started killing people. The Anatomy Act of 1832 allowed hospitals to get bodies in other legal ways (thus hopefully stopping body snatching). London's history of witches, druids, Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper (and the London sewer system) are also explored.
Beneath Vesuvius- The massive cave system underneath Naples, Italy was created by volcanic ash from Vesuvius. While destroying the city of Pompei in 79 AD, it spared Naples thanks to the wind blowing in the other direction. Naples has not always been that lucky though. It has been decimated by numerous eruptions, mudslides, plague epidemics, and cholera outbreaks over thousands of years. There are banks, bakeries, Roman aquifers, shelters used in WWII and crazy Roman emperor Nero's stage underground. The Cult Of The Dead previously worshiped under one of the churches. They adopted skeletons, left gifts and prayed for them. That is until the Catholic Church shut them down and sealed off the entrance. See other info her-- Trip Advisor and Leisure Italy
Freemason Underground- Boston and Philadelphia- Freemasons have a significant (and mysterious) place in American history. Nine of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. Freemasons originate in the Middle Ages (some say they trace back to King Solomon) and were artisans who passed down their craft to others in the group. There are some 4 million Masons in the world (2 million in the US). Famous Masons include Paul Revere, George Washington, John Hancock, Sam Adams, Benjamin Franklin, etc. Legend has it that the Masons along with the Knights Templar smuggled the Holy Grail to Scotland/Englan when Jerusalem was sacked. There are tons of smugglers tunnels under Boston including under the Old North Church. Masonic symbols like the all seeing eye and compass can be found throughout American culture (including on our money, in cities bleuprints etc). Fort Mifflin in Philadelphia is explored as is the water works and a possible connection to the Underground Railroad.
Secret Pagan Underground- Cappadocia, Turkey- Cappadocia has one of the largest undergrounds in the world. The Hittites first starting carving the caves some 3000 years ago. Since the town was in the middle of a trade route they were continually attacked for their strategic location. So they retreated to the undergound. The honeycomb shaped structures make for a strange alien landscape. After the Hittites, the Christians moved in and created the world's first monastery. The area was also inhabited by the Monguls and the Romans. There are some 36 cities underground in the area.
Secret Soviet Bases- Many people in the West do not realize the massive casualties that occurred in the Ukraine and Russia during WWII. Almost 17 million Soviets were killed--15% of their total population. Don visits the port city of Stebastopol Ukraine. Here the Soviets faced the largest army ever assembled and some 80,000 soldiers in an underground battery fought to the death (and then blew the facility up so it couldnt fall into Nazi hands). A gigantic underground submarine station in the nearby port city of Balklava is visited as well. It was known as Object 221 and covered 4 acres and was built into the side of a mountain situated next to the Black Sea.It could hold 9 nuclear subs at a time. In the Battle of Kiev, some 600,000 soldiers, local militia and Jews were killed.
A Bomb Underground- Tokyo, Japan- It is estimated that the bomb dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima killed some 70,000 people instantly. More than 140,000 had died by the end of the year due to radiation poisoning. One woman shows how she survived the attack from an underground bunker where she worked as a telephone operator. She was 14 at the time and was the first person to report to the outside world what had happened. Secret hiding places for ninja are also explored as well as how Japan handles two major treats-- earthquakes and flooding. .
Secret Holy Land- Ethiopia is home to some of the oldest settlements in the world. It is also the world's second oldest Christian nation. Christianity as it was practiced thousands of years ago (with deep roots in Judaism) is active here. In the 12th century King Lalibela created 11 churches to replicate a new Jerusalem (after the original one was sacked). The interesting thing about these churches is, instead of building up, they were cut into the ground-- thus leaving the churches in canyons. The builders then carved out the interior of the rock to create each of the buildings. See more at the UNESCO site here Some people think Axum is the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. It is housed in a church where one priest dedicates his life to guarding it. No one has ever seen inside but him. The Axum are reputed to be the descendants of King Solomon (hence why the Ark was brought there).
Underground Apocalypse- Jerusalem- The city has been destroyed and rebuilt some 17 times and has had MANY different rulers. Wildman explorers the Dome Of The Rock which dates back to 691. Both Muslims and Jews hold claim to it. It is where Muslims say Mohammad ascended into Heaven. Jews/Christians say its where Abraham was tested by God. Many Muslims believe that the caves under the Rock will be where all souls await final judgement hence the name Well Of Souls). Jews believe Solomon's Temple (which held the Ark Of The Covenant) also stood on the same spot. The first apocalypse for the Jews was when the Babylonians in 587 BC sacked the city, killed King Zedekiah and killed 100,000 people (enslaving the rest). The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Essenes are also discussed. They lived outside the city of Qumran. Before the Romans wiped out the Essenes in 68 AD, they hid their scrolls in caves (which were discovered some 6 years ago). In the city of Acre in 1291 Muslim Mumluks defeated the Crusaders and pushed them out of the Holy Land.-- thus ending the age of the Crusaders control over Jerusalem. Don visits Megiddo (the site of the battle of Armageddon in the Book of Revelations).