The world’s largest gold vault is located in New York City, just blocks from the tumultuous world of Wall Street. Many people pass through the Federal Reserve Bank every day, having no idea that the underground vault contains more than 540,000 gold bars owned by 48 different countries, as well as 12 international organizations.

The bank vault sits beneath city streets, and the gold in the vault alone (it contains other valuables) is valued at more than $ 200 billion. It is 30 feet below the subway system that rests on a bedrock about five stories below ground. The gold in the New York City Federal Reserve vault is greater than any vault in the world, including Fort Knox.

Surprisingly, the United States government does not own much of the gold in this vault. Only about 5 percent of the US supply is stored here, with most of it installed at Fort Knox and other locations across the country. Reserves store all gold for free for their tenants, but countries that deposit gold here must pay $ 1.75 per bar when moving. Considering that this vault contains 25% of the world’s gold reserve, making it the largest in the world and even larger than the annual economy of the United Arab Emirates.

The building looks like any other office building in the financial district area, but the surface appearance actually hides what is most similar to a medieval fortress on the lower three floors. These floors have large iron bars that cover all the windows, and there is a circular tower at the top of the building. Armed guards roam the surrounding area at all times with automatic weapons, discouraging anyone from thinking about trying to do something funny. The gold vault can only be accessed through a 10-foot corridor cut into the cylinder, which is made from 90 tons of steel and housed within a steel and concrete frame.

Cameras are not allowed in the vault, and people cannot take anything into the vault. With all the cameras, walls, and guns, you’d think it’s safe enough. The vault is half the size of a football field and was lowered into the bedrock three years before the building was completed in 1924. It is surrounded by solid rock on all sides, and has a way of being hermetically sealed and watertight. to the water if necessary. also. More than 180 tourists pass through the vault every day, so it is not a super secret place. However, it is the largest and safest gold vault you will find anywhere in the world.