Why There’s an Underground City Beneath Edinburgh (And What’s Still Down There)

If you’ve ever walked the Royal Mile or visited Edinburgh’s Old Town, you might not realize that directly beneath your feet are hidden vaults, buried streets, and long-forgotten rooms. Some of which were once homes, taverns, and even places of unspeakable suffering. Over the years, these subterranean spaces have been linked to ghost stories, urban legends, and even real-life historical horrors. But what exactly is down there, and why was it abandoned in the first place? Let’s discuss the underground city beneath Edinburgh and why it’s still there.

How an Entire City Ended Up Underground

The underground world of Edinburgh is the result of a mix of poor urban planning, population growth, and sheer necessity. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the city was overflowing with people. However, because of its geographical limitations—squeezed between a castle-topped volcanic rock and steep hills—there was nowhere to expand outward. So instead, Edinburgh’s residents did something unusual: they built upward and downward at the same time.

The Vaults Beneath South Bridge (Built in 1788)

These underground chambers were originally constructed as storage areas and workshops beneath South Bridge, one of the city’s major roadways. But due to poor ventilation and damp conditions, businesses quickly abandoned them.

After legitimate businesses moved out, these underground chambers allegedly became a haven for thieves, smugglers, and even murderers. Some historians believe body snatchers like Burke and Hare (who stole corpses for medical research in the 1820s) may have used the vaults as hiding places.

Mary King’s Close (Sealed Off in the 1700s)

One of the most infamous parts of Edinburgh’s underground city, Mary King’s Close was a bustling residential street. It was sealed off and built over during the construction of the Royal Exchange. Legend has it that when the plague hit, entire families were left to die inside, with their homes literally bricked up around them.

However, you can still see 17th-century houses, complete with fireplaces, narrow staircases, and remnants of daily life. Some rooms even contain furniture and belongings left behind by their last occupants. And believe it or not, Edinburgh’s underground even has a secret church. In the 1980s, workers discovered what appeared to be a hidden chapel beneath the city.

Why It Was Abandoned—and Rediscovered

By the 19th century, most of Edinburgh’s underground spaces had been forgotten or deliberately sealed off. The vaults were too damp and unhealthy for living, and Mary King’s Close was lost beneath newer buildings. For years, their existence was little more than local legend.

Then, in the late 20th century, historians, urban explorers, and ghost hunters started reopening these buried spaces. What they found was astonishing—not just abandoned rooms, but an entire hidden layer of Edinburgh’s past. It was still intact beneath the modern city.

Several parts of Edinburgh’s underground world are now open to the public, and they’ve become some of the city’s biggest attractions. You can even take a guided tour through the preserved 17th-century street, complete with ghost stories and historical accounts.