The Gates of Hell: From Lake Avernus to the Caves of Belize

There are particularly evocative places, whose mere sight makes us feel immersed in a place where fantasy and reality seem to blur and lose their clear contours. They can evoke different emotions: from fear to wonder, from beauty to adrenaline, or even all of the above. But one thing is certain: they cannot leave us indifferent. And this special category includes precisely those places that seem to have inspired the gates of hell. They are found throughout the world and give us the sensation of entering another dimension: esoteric and diabolical, thanks to smoke, intense colors, and flames. But also ancient stories, legends, myths, and poems, which come to life in the eyes of those who visit them today and gaze upon them with wonder.

And so a journey around the globe —to discover those places said to be the precise point of entry to hell—becomes an opportunity to see (or revisit) marvelous locations that lead to Italy, Greece, Iceland, and Japan, all the way to the American continent. All of these are must-see destinations for a vacation unlike any other, one steeped in charm, wonder, and mystery, as you discover the places that house the gates of hell.

Italy: the two places in Campania

Our journey to discover places said to be gateways to hell can only begin in Italy : it is here, on this marvelous peninsula stretching into the Mediterranean Sea and rich in evocative sites, that Lake Avernus is located. It is in Campania, near Pozzuoli , and is of volcanic origin. Mythology holds that it is one of the places from which one can access hell; suffice it to say that Virgil himself identified it as such in the sixth book of the Aeneid. Among other things, it is interesting to visit because nearby you can find remains of the past waiting to be discovered, such as the Temple of Apollo: a room of an ancient thermal complex open to the public during special openings.

But that's not all: we remain in the same area of the Campania region and not far away we reach the cave of the Cumaean Sibyl , located in the same area where the ancient city of Cumae once stood, now an evocative archaeological site. It is said that it was precisely here that the Sibyl, priestess of Apollo, worked. This place is also mentioned as a cave in Virgil's Aeneid.

Rome, the place to find in the Imperial Forums

Even the Eternal City, Rome , is said to hide among its magnificent ancient ruins one of the entrances to Hades. One of the gates of hell, in fact, appears to be located in one of the capital's most famous areas: the Imperial Forums, where the Lacus Curtius is located. Livy recounts that a chasm opened up here in 362 BC, but that at the time no attempt was successful in filling it, except by throwing in the most precious thing for the Romans: courage. Indeed, it is said that a young knight threw himself into the hole, and the city's inhabitants followed him with fruits and offerings. This is undoubtedly an unmissable stop on a tour of the Imperial Forums.

Cape Matapan in Greece: an ancient and fascinating place

We are at the southernmost point of the Balkan Peninsula, in one of Europe's most beloved countries: Greece . And it is precisely here that we find Cape Matapan : according to Greek mythology, the home of Hades was located on this specific spot, so it is not surprising that several temples were built here in ancient times, including the ancient sanctuary and oracle of Poseidon Tenaros, which consists of two rooms, one with an altar. It is said that it was through this very gate that Orpheus passed to find Eurydice. Legend aside, it is always worth visiting this fascinating country where history and culture blend with incredible landscapes .

Iceland, the gateway to hell beneath the Hekla volcano

You have to go back in time to the Middle Ages to identify the Hekla volcano as one of the gates of hell. It is located in Iceland , in the southwest of this incredible country that seems to have come out of a dream: landscapes that change before your eyes, wild nature and pure beauty . If we were to translate the name of the Hekla volcano, we would discover that it means hood, and the reason is very simple: in fact, its summit is often hidden by clouds. It has erupted approximately 20 times, among the most recent in 2000. And if you want to see it in all its grandeur, just know that it is easy to admire if you plan a trip to Reykjavik , since the distance from the Icelandic capital is only 150 kilometers, and nearby is the evocative Þjófafoss waterfall. Unmissable stops on the way to discover unforgettable places.

Hierapolis, the gateway to hell in Türkiye

We're in Cappadocia , Turkey , and it's here that Hierapolis is located, a place where you can admire the remains of the Classical Age , with countless wonders such as the necropolis, the Frontinus Gate, and a beautiful amphitheater. But that's not all: there are hot thermal waters, even on the white terraces where you can immerse yourself in a setting of rare beauty. A unique place of great wonder, where history and nature intertwine to create a setting destined to become one of your most precious travel memories.

Besides all this, another reason worth visiting is that it is said that one of the gates of hell is located here : the one where a three-headed Cerberus killed people with his breath as a sacrifice to the god Pluto. The curious thing is that there is a reason why all this is real: there is a spot where noxious gases are present and which today—in addition to being closed—can only be admired from afar.

Darvaza, Turkmenistan: The Burning Crater

We move to the north-central area of Turkmenistan , where the Darvaza crater is located in the Karakum Desert. A truly hellish place : a hole surrounded by perpetual flames, the perfect spot from which we can imagine descending into hell. But how can it be so? It seems that this peculiarity is caused by the presence of large quantities of natural gas (primarily methane) underground, which was set alight following an industrial accident. But this does not detract from its mysterious and slightly terrifying allure ; in fact, there is no doubt in stating that it is a truly unique and breathtaking place . So similar to what we imagine as the gateway to Hades that it has earned the nickname "The Door to Hell." The journey to reach it is not short, but it is worth it.

Japan: the seven hells of Beppu

Let's stay in Asia , and more specifically, Japan : this is where the seven hells of Beppu are located. Characterized by boiling water and gas, they can be reached in the Kannawa and Kamegawa regions of Beppu. They are called Jigoku, a word that means hell, the one in Japanese Buddhist tradition. Their water is extremely hot, and the colors (some pools reach temperatures of up to 99 degrees) range from turquoise to mud-colored, not to mention white and red. This area is obviously famous for its hot springs , a must-visit for a dose of relaxation and wonder. And to be able to say you've admired one of the areas identified as the mouth of hell up close.

Belize, the Mayan caves

Belize is located in Central America , and it seems the gates of hell are located inside caves. They were built by the Maya specifically to lead to Xibalba, the underground place where the living and the dead passed and the gods of death reigned. In short: perfect gates to hell. A famous cave complex is Actun Tunichil Muknal , inside which the bones of 13 people were found, including the "Crystal Maiden." It is located near the city of San Ignacio , a starting point for many other particularly important tourist attractions, including several archaeological sites linked to the Mayan civilization. A place worth exploring to soak up history and ancient culture.

Pennsylvania: Hell's Gate in Hellam Township

In the United States , more specifically in Pennsylvania , lies the town of Hellam Township. It might seem like a normal North American town, but it's actually home to some scary stories about a supposedly burned-down asylum (which never existed) and a doctor. And they all agree that this is where the Seven Gates of Hell are located. It's said that if you pass through all of them, you'll reach the underworld. A truly terrifying legend.

The place of worship in Ireland that leads to Purgatory

No longer hell, but purgatory : a legend takes us to Ireland , to the small island of Station Island in Lough Derg. Here, it is said that in the distant past, Jesus showed St. Patrick the entrance to purgatory by identifying it as a cave: today it is called St. Patrick's Well or St. Patrick's Purgatory.