Historical Landmarks With Hidden Rooms Forgotten To Time
By Jack Ripley | April 16, 2024
The Apartment in the Eiffel Tower
Deep within renowned structures, secret chambers lurk. Not only are these rooms concealed from view, but their purposes are often covert. These spaces ignite curiosity and beckon explorers to find them. From ancient fortresses to modern wonders, uncovering hidden rooms in some of the most well known historical landmarks excites the adventurer in all of us.
It's time to go on a journey to unlock the mysteries hidden behind closed doors without leaving the comfort of your home. Let's unearth the stories that lie within the heart of these iconic buildings.
At the very summit of the Eiffel Tower, perched atop its majestic spire, lies Gustave Eiffel's secret apartment. It is a snug retreat where the tower's creator sought solace and inspiration. The apartment is tiny, containing only a bed, desk, and a simple kitchenette that gave him respite amidst the tower's grandeur.
The apartment is nestled within the tower's intricate framework and provides an intimate setting with unparalleled views of Paris below.
Today, this once-hidden apartment serves as a museum, inviting curious visitors to step into Eiffel's world. It unveils a lesser-known facet of the iconic structure.
The Hall of Records in Mount Rushmore
The Hall of Records is behind the head of Abraham Lincoln in Mount Rushmore, but good luck getting in there. Constructed to hold historical documents and artifacts, the space had to be abandoned during World War II, but it was finally completed in 1998. The room now holds a teakwood box that's covered with granite capstone. It's not the most exciting room, but it is pretty nuts that there's a secret space on a national monument (just don't tell Nicolas Cage).
The tennis courts at Grand Central Terminal
The Vanderbilt Tennis Club is in the historic Grand Central Terminal. Its history dates back to 1966 when Hungarian immigrant Geza A. Gazdag founded it and named it the Vanderbilt Athletic Club after Cornelius Vanderbilt. Originally, Gazdag established the club on the terminal's third floor, and it offered two clay courts and a ski slope. Former President Trump owned the club from 1984 to 2009. The club has since relocated to the fourth floor. To access the club, visitors must take the elevator near Tracks 100-117 to reach it. Today, this hidden club has 30-foot ceilings and includes one junior court, two practice lanes, a fitness room, and a regulation-sized Main Court. The club offers slow-motion camera analysis of player's moves. It is one of few courts in NYC to provide advanced technology, helping to refine players' skills.
The basketball court in the Supreme Court
The basketball court in the Supreme Court building is on the fifth floor, directly over the courtroom, so suit up and start practicing your layups. Employees in the building can use the space though a sign strictly warns not to play when court is in session because the bouncing can be heard in the courtroom, which is honestly kind of hilarious to think about.
When workers completed the building in 1935, the space was used for storage. Sometime during the 1940s, the area was repurposed into a basketball court with a concrete floor, which has been covered with hardwood. In the middle of the court is the Supreme Court's emblem. Most basketball courts measure 94 feet by 50 feet, but this one measures 78 feet by 37 feet. Once, NBA superstar Karl Tilleman convinced Justice Clarence Thomas to play a pickup game on the court. Thomas tore his Achilles tendon during the game and hobbled on crutches for a few weeks.
The Hidden Wine Cellars Inside the Brooklyn Bridge Helped Pay for Its Construction
Workers constructed the wine cellars under the approaches to the Brooklyn Bridge seven years before the bridge opened in 1883. Bridge engineer Washington Roebling came up with the idea when he realized that he could offset the bridge's mounting construction costs.
In order to complete the bridge he needed Rackey's Wine Company to move out of his way on the Brooklyn side and he needed Luyties & Co. to move out of his way on the Manhattan side. Therefore, he came up with the idea of building the wine cellars and leasing them to the merchants. Merchants continued to store wine there until Prohibition. Then, newspaper companies used the space to store editions. After Prohibition, the space became wine cellars again until the end of World War II. At that time, the city took over the bridge's management and, killjoys that they are, abolished the use of cellars. However, lucky visitors can still see the cellars to this day.
Club 33 At Disneyland
Club 33 at Disneyland was Walt Disney's idea for a place to entertain VIP guests at the most magical place on Earth. Membership remains elusive, with each member undergoing an extensive vetting process, but we have somewhat of an idea of what they need to go through.
Members of Club 33 have to pay an initiation fee and on top of that there annual membership dues. Members enter through a hidden door, which is a pretty cool rule.
The dining area has plush seating, intricate chandeliers, and rich fabrics. Carefully selected chefs choose only the best ingredients when preparing gourmet meals. Additionally, Club 33 provides members with access to exclusive events and amenities. They often attend private cocktail parties and wine tastings. They can also get behind-the-scenes tours and the best seats at Disneyland's fireworks shows. In all, membership gives people the most luxurious experience at the theme park. So who do we have to talk to about getting punched by Club 33?
See the Abandoned Train Tracks Under the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
The Waldorf-Astoria track was originally constructed to carry supplies, and once workers finished construction on the hotel in 1931, the station was converted for passengers. The first person to use the track as a passenger may have been General John J. Pershing in 1938.
Trains brought guests from Grand Central Station to the hotel on a labyrinth-track network, then they were placed in an elevator and moved to the first three floors for the city's first auto shows.
As the decades passed and travel preferences shifted, the once-bustling train tracks fell into disuse. Today, they remain silent witnesses to a bygone era. Catch a glimpse of the tracks by riding the Metro-North out of Grand Central Station.
Experience History at the Hypogeum Beneath Rome's Colosseum
The hypogeum can still be found beneath Rome's Colosseum. This vast underground complex consists of many tunnels and chambers on two levels. It was used for many purposes during its time in the sun, but it mostly served as a a staging area that contained elaborate mechanisms for elevating and releasing fighters.
The space also had trapdoors for deploying exotic animals. There were also storage rooms for props and equipment. The hypogeum's design allowed for efficient and dramatic executions of acts that captivated the audience's attention. The structure was allowed to be buried under 40 feet of dirt at one time. Then, archeologists started working on digging the space out. Carefully, they put different elements back together. Now, visitors can explore the area on a tour by strolling along walkways that workers have added.
See St. Mark's Final Resting Place in the Crypt Below St. Mark's Basilica
Doge Domenico Contarini commissioned St. Mark's Basilica in 1063. Workers constructed the building to house the remains of Jesus' disciple Mark using materials from previous buildings to make a crypt under the building. Mark's body was placed in the crypt in 1094, although Rising water letters forced the crypt's floor to be raised in 1563. Still, 500ish years is pretty good for a crypt.
The crypt was sealed in 1604 but soon fell into disrepair. In 1811, reconstruction work began and shortly thereafter, the box containing the body was discovered. The crypt was reopened in 1889. Historically, many Patriarchs of Venice were placed in it when they died. Today, visitors can explore this intriguing crypt on guided tours.
Drum Castle's Ancient Chambers Hold History
Workers constructed Drum Castle near Aberdeenshire, Scotland, during the 13th century and filled this bad boy with hidden chambers. Drum Castle stands as a testament to centuries of Scottish history and heritage with some chambers containing intricate carvings and tapestries, while others echo with the whispers of long-forgotten secrets.
The chambers have witnessed their fair share of sieges and conflicts. In the 14th century, the castle faced attacks during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Rival clans vied for control of the chambers. Later, during the Jacobite uprisings of the 18th century, the castle was used by British soldiers. The building has survived sieges and skirmishes as the winds of rebellion swept across Scotland. Today, visitors can see the ancient chambers on guided tours of the castle.
