Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Akhtala Monastery

This often-missed monastery, set in a scenic mountain landscape, features unique frescoes, fortifications and legends.

Mikoyan Museum

This small shrine is dedicated to the designer of the first Russian fighter jet and his brother, who became Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

‘Crystals of Refrain’

Atop a small Armenian hilltop adorned with many forms, and carvings, these stones tell a whimsical tale from a fictional world.

Sergei Parajanov Museum

Despite producing just a handful of movies, a brave and lyrical filmmaker has an entire museum dedicated to him.

Noravank Monastery

Nestled in a peaceful valley, this Armenian monastery may have been saved from Mongols thanks to the eyes of God.

Areni-1 Cave Complex

This series of Armenian caves held the oldest brain, shoe, and winery in the world.

Old Khndzoresk Cave Village

Right up until the 20th century this network of man-made caves was the biggest village in Eastern Armenia.

Khor Virap Monastery

The most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia once held a saint in a pit for 13 years.

Geghard Monastery

This Armenian monastery was carved out of cliffs and named after the spear used to stab Jesus.

Garni Gorge

A geological oddity topped with a 2,000-year-old pagan temple.

Institute Menezes Braganza

The entrance hall of this old cultural institute is decorated with Azulejo artwork depicting Vasco da Gama’s journey to India.

Mujumdar Wada

This 18th-century building is said to be one of the oldest heritage mansions in Pune.

Sao Bras Church

This 16th century church is Goa's fascinating connection with Croatia.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

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