Various legends say hell is not only part of the afterlife, but can be accessed from Earth. These places are believed to be the gates to hell.
Fengdu, China. A place called Fengdu Ghost Town is located on Ming Mountain, Chongqing. The area was considered a ghost town during the Eastern Han dynasty when two Taoists attained immortality on Mount Ming. Around the same time, people believed that the King of Hell lived in Fengdu. In addition, Mount Ming is home to the Naihe Bridge, which connects the mortal realm to the occult world.
Derweze, Turkmenistan. In the middle of the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan is the "gate of hell" in the form of a blazing natural gas field. This field was deliberately burned by geologists to stop the spread of methane gas since 1971.
Waipio Valley, Hawaii. According to Hawaiian folklore, a gateway to the supernatural world, Lua-o-Milu, is located here. According to legend, a person can enter the land of the Hawaiian death by jumping off one of the sea cliffs.
Mount Osore, Japan. The entrance to hell is said to be located inside this mountain in northern Japan which is known for emitting sulfur dioxide. Nearby is Laku Usori, which according to legend is the Sanzu River which according to legend must be crossed by the dead before reaching the afterlife.
Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya. From the name alone it is clear to call it Hell's Gate National Park. This "entrance to hell" which is also a National Park, is a site of extreme geothermal activity. Visible volcanoes and plumes of geothermal steam billowing are stunning to see here.
Hellam Township, Pennsylvania. The small town called Hellam is known for its urban legend that there are seven gates of hell located around the area.
St. Patrick's Purgatory, Ireland. This ancient pilgrimage site according to local residents is a gate for purgatory. It is said that Jesus Christ himself showed Saint Patrick a cave here, and told him it was the entrance to purgatory.
Stull, Kansas. This area has been famous since the 1970s as a city possessed by demonic powers. Many claim that the gates of hell are located in the area. Photo: via Fodors
Guinee Gate, Louisiana. According to voodoo mythology, a person enters purgatory after death called a Guinee, before further "traveling" to meet their ancestors. Many practitioners believe that this place is a physical world that can be reached by opening the seven gates of hell in the "right" order.
Hekla in Iceland is the site of a very active volcano that produces the largest lava production. This is one of the reasons why many Europeans regard it as the gate of hell. Another reason is because of rumors for years from local monks calling Hekla the hell and prison of Judas. Meanwhile, locals claim to see souls fly out of the volcano during its eruption.
