Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Discovery Tree

Discover The Discovery Tree in Big Trees, California: California's longest-running tourist attraction is a stump.

Dalhalla

Discover Dalhalla in Rättvik, Sweden: The unique design of this former quarry provides ideal acoustics for concerts.

Hahn’s Peak Lookout

Discover Hahn’s Peak Lookout in Clark, Colorado: A long and winding trail through history led to the current iteration of this mountaintop tower.

Ruins at Coco Mat Athens B.C. Hotel

Discover Ruins at Coco Mat Athens B.C. Hotel in Athens, Greece: When construction began on this hotel, developers were surprised to find the ruins of an ancient civilization.

Mar Chiquita

Discover Mar Chiquita in Manatí, Puerto Rico: Enjoy the waters of this half-moon-shaped natural pool surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

The Box Shop

Discover The Box Shop in San Francisco, California: Overflowing with shipping containers, this location has been transformed into a massive workspace for artists.

Edinburgh Meat Market

Discover Edinburgh Meat Market in Edinburgh, Scotland: The lasting remains of a bygone era of open-air meat markets.

Devil’s Throat

Discover Devil's Throat in Bunkerville, Nevada: An unexpected sinkhole in a desert flat within Gold Butte National Monument.

Conata

Discover Conata in Conata, South Dakota: A ghost town now swarming with dozen of prairie dogs.

HGTV Art Cars

Discover HGTV Art Cars in Winslow, Arizona: A unique collection of artistic rides.

Daylesford Convent

Discover Daylesford Convent in Daylesford, Australia: This former convent has been reimagined as a community center for artists.

‘Corporate Head’

Discover ‘Corporate Head’ in Los Angeles, California: This sculpture presents commentary on a life in pursuit of profits.

Rhyl Miniature Railway

Discover Rhyl Miniature Railway in Wellington, England: Britain's oldest miniature railway.

Three Valley Gap

Discover Three Valley Gap in British Columbia: A historic ghost town still worth a visit.

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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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