Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Steam Locomotives of Eritrea

After decades of sitting in disrepair, the Eritrean Railway runs through the mountainous countryside once again, with much of its original equipment.

Ochsenportal

Discover Ochsenportal in Nuremberg, Germany: An ornate sculpture of an ox in repose marks the former entrance to Nuremberg's medieval meat market, which was destroyed during World War II.

Binns Clock

Discover Binns Clock in Edinburgh, Scotland: This historic timepiece was a popular meeting place for romantic rendezvous in the 1960s.

Waldschlösschen Bridge

Discover Waldschlösschen Bridge in Dresden, Germany: The bridge that cost Germany a World Heritage Site.

Amsterdam’s Porcelain Tunnel

Discover Cuyperspassage in Amsterdam, Netherlands: Some 80,000 Delft Blue tiles line the inside of this Amsterdam walkway.

O’Fallon Historical Museum

Discover O'Fallon Historical Museum in Baker, Montana: This six-building complex is the home of the world's largest steer.

‘Heavier Mountain’

Discover 'Heavier Mountain' in Seydisfjordur, Iceland: The only structure in a remote mountain pass, these colorful cubes are visible from miles away.

Vrouwekerk

Discover Vrouwekerk in Leiden, Netherlands: The remains of the last church of the pilgrims before they sailed west due to being 'too accepted'.

Tashkent Park

Discover Tashkent Park in Seattle, Washington: This park celebrates a sister city relationship that survived the Cold War.

Tadami Train Line

Discover Tadami Train Line in Uonuma, Japan: Running through lush forests and across the Tadami River, this train line offers breathtaking views of rural Japan.

Needless Alley

Discover Needless Alley in Birmingham, England: A small alleyway with an unusual moniker.

‘Woman and Child’

Discover 'Woman and Child' in Edinburgh, Scotland: This statue stands as a message against the ills of Apartheid.

Fisher Towers

Discover Fisher Towers in Castle Valley, Utah: These tall, red sandstone pinnacles outside Moab are often forgotten amid their more famous neighbors.

Duffelcoat Statue

Discover Duffelcoat Statue in Duffel, Belgium: The birthplace of the titular coat and related products celebrates its claim to fame with a statue of a coat.

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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

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