Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Creston Dinosaur

Discover Creston Dinosaur in Creston, South Dakota: A relic of roadside lore and perhaps the first of its kind in North America.

Hanging Ditch Bridge

Discover Hanging Ditch Bridge in Manchester, England: The construction of this bridge dates back to the 15th century.

Asakusa Twelve Stories Mural

Discover Asakusa Twelve Stories Mural in Tokyo, Japan: A painting marks the site of a historic skyscraper destroyed by the Great Kantō earthquake.

Kosturnica (Ossuary Monument)

Discover Kosturnica (Ossuary Monument) in Veles, North Macedonia: This elegant monument to those who fought against fascism is inspired by the shape of the poppy flower.

Ralph Kramden Statue

Discover Ralph Kramden Statue in New York, New York: An homage to Jackie Gleason's bus-driving character from 'The Honeymooners.'.

Ausgrabungen Michaelerplatz

Discover Ausgrabungen Michaelerplatz in Vienna, Austria: In the middle of a Vienna square, Roman ruins dating back some 2,000 years are on display.

The Grundhauser Hero Lending Library

Discover The Grundhauser Hero Lending Library in Brooklyn, New York: "Leave a He-Man, Take a Transformer" and share a story about your real-life superhero.

The Duke of Wellington’s Mounting Stone

Discover The Duke of Wellington’s Mounting Stone in London, England: Outside of one of Britain's most renowned social clubs, a step installed specifically for the Duke.

Shfaram Ice Cream

Discover Shfaram Ice Cream in Shefar'am, Israel: Unique flavors and plant sap make this ice cream special.

Tomb of St. Lénard

Discover Tomb of St. Lénard in Andouillé-Neuville, France: This roadside shrine to an unofficial saint has welcomed the wishes and prayers of local believers for generations.

Burr Point

Discover Burr Point in Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland: The easternmost point on the island of Ireland.

‘Moonwalker’

Discover ‘Moonwalker’ in Houston, Texas: In Houston's airport, a cow is properly equipped to jump over the moon.

Hodgson Water Mill

Discover Hodgson Water Mill in Dora, Missouri: A version of this picturesque mill has existed since the 1800s.

Whorlton Castle

Discover Whorlton Castle in Whorlton, England: An abandoned Yorkshire castle that is hidden in plain sight.

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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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