Andres Canto, now 24 years old and residing in La Romana, Alicante province, Spain, started an unusual project in 2015. Following a disagreement with his parents about not being allowed to wear sportswear out, he found an unconventional way to cope with his frustration.

Staying home in anger, Andres began digging in his backyard using his grandfather's pickaxe. What started as a simple stress-relief activity without a clear objective soon evolved into a regular habit, providing him a calming escape after school.

Andres Canto next to his self-dug underground cave in La Romana, Murcia, Spain. Photo: Mirror

Andres dedicated several days each week to expanding his subterranean space. Initially, he manually removed soil with buckets. As his excavation deepened, he developed new techniques, including designing a pulley system for transporting earth and rocks, and reinforcing the ceiling and walls with pillars and arches to prevent collapse.

The project gained momentum when Andreu, Andres's close friend, joined him, bringing a pneumatic drill. At times, the two friends spent up to 14 hours weekly working on the structure. What began as a small hole gradually expanded into an extensive underground system, reaching depths of 3 m and up to 5 m in some sections.

"Digging the tunnel helped me stay motivated and nurture my imagination," Andres shared. Despite the damp underground environment, poor air circulation, and frequent presence of insects, he persevered with his unique endeavor.

After a decade, Andres's "secret base" now features a living room and a bedroom. The bunker is outfitted with a heating system, a sound system, and even Wi-Fi, which he accesses by placing his phone at the tunnel entrance. The total cost for the entire project is estimated at approximately 55 USD (over 1,3 million VND), primarily spent on construction materials.

Local authorities inspected the structure in 2021. Since the space was not classified as a basement or warehouse under local building regulations, Andres faced no penalties. His family has also shown support for his distinctive project.

Andres is currently pursuing a degree in acting at the ESAD Superior School of Dramatic Art in Murcia. Despite living away from home, he regularly returns to La Romana on weekends to continue improving and expanding his lifelong creation.

Ngoc Ngan (Based on Mirror, NPR)