In 1915, Australian colonists went into the desert in search of treasure. They built an underground city with houses, stores and plazas, and now, 100 years later, they still live underground. In their homes the first trees were made of iron.
This little town is difficult for the casual observer to see because from above it resembles an abandoned mine: the real life of the city takes place underground.
People came to this hot Australian desert for a good reason. In 1915, the first noble opal was found here. Coober Pedy is located in one of the most desolate places in Australia, but that didn't stop gold prospectors obsessed with finding gemstones.
The town's entire population is employed in the mining industry. The entrance to the mine opens directly from underground houses, which appeared due to extreme weather conditions. Daytime temperatures in the desert don't allow one to stay outside for more than five minutes, and constant sandstorms make life even harder.
Underground houses turned out to be an ideal way to solve the problem. People live in comfort: bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms – everything is just like in a real house. The optimal temperature regime is constantly maintained underground without air conditioners: if the thermometer shows 100-120 F outside, inside it rarely rises above 70 F.
Over time, underground homes were connected by avenues. There are even underground churches, and the locals made up for the lack of greenery quite creatively: they welded metal trees.
The locals not only got used to underground life, but love it for its uniqueness and comfort. They have created a kind of community where everyone knows each other and helps out in times of need.
See how life goes in this amazing city:
In addition to opal mining, Coober Pedy has become known as a tourist attraction, which is visited by travelers from around the world. There's also an opal museum where you can learn more about the history of opal mining and a video library showing what life looks like in underground homes.
Source: trendymen
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