20 Places On Earth Which Are Believed To Be Gateways To Hell

16Necromanteion of Ephyra

This is regarded as one of the most famous gateways to hell in Greek Mythology. The Ephyra is an ancient Greek temple of necromancy (practice of spirit communication) and is dedicated to the god of the underworld, Hades. It is located besides the three rives part of the five rivers belonging to Hades, The Cocytus (wailing river), The Pyriphlegethon (The fire river) and the Acheron (river of woe). The rivers can be crossed by the ghost ferryman Charon who would transport souls across the rivers to the Ephyra where their living relatives could communicate with them.

17Masaya volcano

Named The La Boca del Inferno by Spanish conquistadors or the mouth of hell, The Masaya volcano is located in Nicaragua. The Spanish also planted a cross across its rim as a sign of exorcism to keep the devil within. In ancient times, human and child sacrifices were common to appease the devil and to end drought.

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18Seven gates of hell, Pennsylvania

This is an eerie place even without its name. The area is located in York County, Pennsylvania and is described by two legends as being the gateways to hell. The seven gateways to hell exist in a wooded area of the location and anyone crossing all gateways will have a direct route to Hades himself. The area is in the wood near Hellam Town which was founded in 1793. One of the legends say that lunatics form a nearby asylum escaped and entered the gates and never returned. Legends also speak about the fifth gate from which no one has ever returned. 

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19French catacombs

Lying beneath Paris are almost 200 catacombs located along the Seine River and many believe they are the gateways to hell. Overcrowded cemeteries led to the dead being buried in the catacombs which were old abandoned ancient mines and tunnels of Paris. An excavation involving decades led to six million exhumed bodies which are now stacked in an organized manner in the hellish labyrinth. You aren’t supposed to wander around without guides and if you get lost and found, there is a fine of $83. There is no fine for getting lost as it would be presumed you’re ending up in hell itself. 

Image Source: www.worldatlas.com

20Actun Tunichil Muknal

This is an ancient Mayan location believed to be the entrance to the underworld called Xibalba. Human sacrifice was repeatedly performed in this area where the skulls of victims would be cracked open when they fell. To reach the area, one has to cross deep waters that flow into the cave depositing rich minerals throughout it. The mineral deposits leave a dazzling effect where victim’s skeletons take on the appearance of crystals after being bound to the cave floor. One is a well-known figure called the crystal maiden.