Archives: Atlas Obscuras

‘The Wave’

Discover 'The Wave' in Newport, Rhode Island: An ode to Japanese artist Hokusai, with a bit of a comical twist.

Hochstrahlbrunnen

Discover Hochstrahlbrunnen in Vienna, Austria: Along the edge of this fountain are 365 smaller fountains that represent the days of the year.

Russell Head

Discover Russell Head in Aberdeen, Scotland: This effigy was crafted to annoy a neighbor after a civil dispute over a foul smell.

Snickersville Academy

Discover Snickersville Academy in Bluemont, Virginia: A glimpse into early 19th-century education.

Canyon Ferry Lake’s Cemetery Island

Discover Canyon Ferry Lake's Cemetery Island in Helena, Montana: This cemetery is one of the last remaining traces of a drowned old Western town.

Suzzallo Library Reading Room

Discover Suzzallo Library Reading Room in Seattle, Washington: With its vaulted ceiling and gilded details, this University of Washington library would feel right at home inside an old palace.

Unhyeongung

Discover Unhyeongung in Seoul, South Korea: The site of the last royal wedding in Korea.

Buckley’s Cave

Discover Buckley's Cave in Point Lonsdale, Australia: William Buckley escaped from prison and is said to have spent years hiding in this seaside cave.

La Dame de Trévières

Discover La Dame de Trévières in Trévières, France: Inaugurated in 1921, this is one of many statues in France dedicated to the people who died during World War I for their country.

‘Sitting Man’

Discover 'Sitting Man' in Iowa City, Iowa: How did the 110-foot limestone statue cross the road?

Văcărești Natural Park

Discover Văcărești Natural Park in Bucharest, Romania: After sitting unused for decades, this abandoned communist infrastructure became a wildlife utopia.

Lo Pinyol

Discover Lo Pinyol in Barcelona, Spain: Read a book with a glass of wine at this classically restored bar.

Čaršija Mosque

Discover Čaršija Mosque in Stolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina: A 16th-century mosque rebuilt after wartime devastation.

Ix Art Park

Discover Ix Art Park in Charlottesville, Virginia: An abandoned textile mill that is now home to art and concerts.

Erie Dinosaur Park

Discover Erie Dinosaur Park in Erie, Kansas: A Jurassic artscape composed of transmission casings and other mechanical parts.

Mile High Swinging Bridge

Discover Mile High Swinging Bridge in Linville, North Carolina: You can find America's highest suspension footbridge at at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

Menu

i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 260 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. 474 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. 499 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. 633 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. 135 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. 167 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). 252 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 148 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. 96 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. 166

PP ToS