The Gate of Hell, the Incredible Story of the Fire Pit in the Desert

Far from the beaten paths lies a place that seems to belong to another world, where the earth breathes flames and the sky is constantly illuminated by a "hellish" glow. It is called the Darvaza Gas Crater, and it is known by those who speak of it as the Gate of Hell. A name that evokes spectral and even frightening imagery, but in reality represents a geological and human mystery that burns incessantly.

The term Gate of Hell refers to a large gas crater located in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan. It is an incredibly mysterious place with notable dimensions, measuring approximately 60-70 meters in diameter and 20-30 meters deep. Here, burning flames have been blazing for decades, primarily due to human actions: in 1971, a group of Soviet geologists was drilling the ground to extract natural gas, but the platform they were working on collapsed into an underground cavity full of methane gas.

To prevent the harmful gas from spreading into the atmosphere and causing damage, as well as to avoid an explosion, the geologists decided to ignite the crater, thinking the fire would consume the gas in a few days. But that was not the case at all. The flames continue to burn even now, turning the site into a unique attraction in the world, visible from kilometers away, especially at night.

Today, the Gate of Hell is indeed a spectacular place, but it also symbolizes the unintended consequences of human activity and the uncontrollable power of nature.

As mentioned, the Gate of Hell is located in Turkmenistan, specifically in the Karakum Desert, about 160 miles north of the capital Ashgabat. To be more precise, the crater is situated near the village of Darvaza, in a remote and sparsely populated area, making it difficult to reach.

It is therefore located in a rather isolated position, to the extent that we are talking about a territory accessible only via unmarked roads. Essentially, anyone wanting to visit must be prepared to face the journey under quite extreme conditions.

The Gate of Hell continues to emit "eternal" flames because the natural gas beneath the crater has never been completely consumed. The underground methane gas is much more abundant than the geologists expected, which is why it continues to seep from the ground, constantly fueling the fire for over 50 years since the original fire.

But that's not the only reason: the crater is fed by an additional gas reserve that is difficult to exhaust due to its vast extension underground. This continuous combustion of gas, among other things, has a significant environmental impact as methane, which fuels the fire, is a powerful greenhouse gas, far more harmful to our planet than carbon dioxide. This means that its combustion contributes to global warming, and for this reason, over the years, the crater has become a symbol of the issues related to the irresponsible use of natural resources.

You won't be surprised to know that, in 2022, the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, announced plans to extinguish the Gate of Hell. An idea that has been discussed primarily to reduce pollution and consequently promote sustainable economic development. Yet, to this day, nothing concrete has been realized. The reasons? Probably also the tourist impact, as the Gate of Hell is visited every year by thousands of visitors, both locals and international, who venture into the desert to admire the flames and take spectacular photographs. Nearby, tent camps have even been set up for visitors to stay.

The place is remote and quite peculiar, which is why being adequately prepared is necessary for safe visits.

A place so unique and atypical could certainly not be devoid of mysteries and folklore. It is true that it is a damage caused by man, but its continuous burning is also (and certainly) an extraordinary geological phenomenon, to the point of captivating the imagination and fantasy of many.

In various local cultures, for instance, the Gate of Hell has been interpreted as a passage to the world of the dead, a portal that connects Earth to another plane of existence, that of the afterlife. The flames are thus similar to those believed to fuel the underworld in religious and mythological traditions. For this reason, there are stories that claim those who venture too close may somehow be sucked into another world, as if it were a "gateway" between life and death.

In Turkmen mythology, it is said that mythological beings akin to infernal guardians inhabit this area, protecting the boundary between the earthly realm and the underground. The eternal fire that burns in the crater may represent a sort of "guardian" that prevents passage between the two worlds.

Other folk tales narrate of lost souls lying beneath the earth, trapped by the flames, unable to escape the eternal fire. Then there are those who believe some souls are trapped in the crater, victims of a fate that binds them to this hellish place.

There is also the legend of the "devils," which claims that the crater was once the dwelling of demons or evil creatures known as "desert devils." According to tales, these beings, capable of generating eternal fire, would have used the Gate of Hell as a prison, sealed by flames, to prevent their dark energies from dispersing into the world we know today. It is said that those who approach the crater may hear unsettling voices or see strange shadows moving among the flames.

Some consider it a cursed place to be avoided at all costs, while others see it as a sort of sacred site, where the eternal fire represents a cosmic force governing the order of the universe.