Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Carl Lutz Memorial

Discover Carl Lutz Memorial in Budapest, Hungary: This sculpture honors the man who was known as the "Righteous Among the Nations.".

‘Beetle Sphere’

Discover 'Beetle Sphere' in Amsterdam, Netherlands: A unique work of automotive art calls this shopping center home.

Dunskey Castle

Discover Dunskey Castle in Portpatrick, Scotland: The ruins of a 12th-century seaside castle on the southwest coast of Scotland.

Norsk Museum

Discover Norsk Museum in Sheridan, Illinois: This church doubles a museum dedicated to Norwegian heritage.

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

Discover Glenwood Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood Springs, Colorado: Take a dip in the world's largest mineral hot springs pool.

The Church of St Nicholas

Discover The Church of St Nicholas in Alassa, Cyprus: These ruins disappear beneath the waves every winter.

Ruins Of Sheffield Ski Village

Discover Ruins Of Sheffield Ski Village in Sheffield, England: Once a training ground for Olympic athletes, this artificial ski slope has fallen into ruin after a fire in 2012.

Kirkcudbright Tolbooth

Discover Kirkcudbright Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright, Scotland: A 17th-century building that once served as the town's courthouse and jail is now a thriving art center.

‘Mater Naturae’

Discover 'Mater Naturae' in Portovenere, Italy: Perched above a grotto, this tribute to Mother Nature looks out into the ocean.

Ulupō Heiau

Discover Ulupō Heiau in Kailua, Hawaii: Hidden behind a YMCA stands the remains of a ceremonial site that dates back hundreds of years, whose ground is still considered sacred to many Hawaiians.

The Jampot

Discover The Jampot in Eagle Harbor, Michigan: On the shores of Lake Superior, a small group of monks makes sacred sweets.

The Luck of Edenhall

Discover The Luck of Edenhall in England: At over 600 years old, this enchanting glass has a long history, and its name, the Luck of Edenhall, reflects just how enchanted it just might be.

Bernd Rosemeyer Memorial

Discover Bernd Rosemeyer Memorial in Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany: A memorial for a racecar driver who died while trying to set a land speed record on the autobahn.

Val’s Rapid Service

Discover Val's Rapid Service in St. Cloud, Minnesota: This lone survivor of a regional franchise still slings delicious burgers and colossal servings of fries.

Righteous Among the Nations Memorial

Discover Righteous Among the Nations Memorial in Budapest, Hungary: A plaque bearing the names of those who dedicated themselves to protecting Budapest's Jewish population during World War II.

‘The Little Prince’ Park

Discover 'The Little Prince' Park in Merliot, El Salvador: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's 1943 book shares a surprising connection with El Salvador.

Motts Military Museum

Discover Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio: A unique collection of military history dating back to the American Revolution.

Eleanor Rigby Statue

Discover Eleanor Rigby Statue in Liverpool, England: This bronze statue was dedicated to a 1966 Beatles hit.

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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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