The world’s largest gold vault is located in New York City, just blocks from the tumultuous world of Wall Street. Many people walk in front of the Federal Reserve Bank every day, with 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 is far below the city streets, and the gold in the vault alone (it contains other valuables) is valued at over $200 billion. It is located 30 feet below the underground system resting on bedrock about five stories below ground. The gold in the New York City Federal Reserve Vault is greater than that of any vault in the world, including Fort Knox.

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

The building presents itself as any other office building in the Financial District area, but on the surface it actually hides something more like a medieval fortress on the bottom three floors. These floors have large iron bars covering all the windows, and there is a circular shaped tower at the top of the building. Armed guards roam the grounds at all times with automatic weapons, dissuading anyone from even thinking about trying to do anything fun. The gold vault is only accessible through a 10-foot passage cut into the cylinder, which is made of 90 tons of steel and is housed within a steel and concrete framework.

Cameras are not allowed in the vault, and people are not allowed to take anything inside the vault. With all the cameras, walls, and weapons, you’d think it’s safe enough. The vault is half the size of a football field and was buried in bedrock three years before the building was completed in 1924. It is surrounded by solid rock on all sides and has a way of sealing itself tight and airtight if it is necessary. also. More than 180 tourists are herded through the vault each day, so it’s not a super secret place. However, it is the largest and most secure gold vault you will find anywhere in the world.