1Montreal’s Underground City (RÉSO), Canada
Montreal’s RÉSO (also known as “La Ville Souterraine,” meaning “Underground City”) is one of the largest underground complexes in the world, spanning more than 33 kilometers (20 miles) beneath the city. Although it’s a modern development and not ancient, RÉSO functions as a fully integrated part of the city, connecting shopping malls, hotels, office buildings, metro stations, and cultural venues.
Created initially in the 1960s to help Montreal residents cope with the harsh winter weather, RÉSO allows people to live, work, and shop entirely underground, making it an innovative solution to the city’s extreme climate. It features over 2,000 shops, restaurants, and services and has become a hub for Montreal’s downtown area. Visitors can explore the underground world, which includes art galleries, entertainment complexes, and a number of major events that take place in the subterranean spaces, showcasing how modern cities can adapt to underground living. Despite being largely commercial, it is still a functional underground city, offering an essential link for daily life in Montreal.
