Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Kilwinning Abbey

Discover Kilwinning Abbey in Kilwinning, Scotland: Now in ruins, this abbey was the home of Tironensian monks for more than 400 years.

Rocky Point Amusement Park

Discover Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, Rhode Island: Once the largest attraction in Rhode Island.

Tukuni

Discover Tukuni in Fiji: This authentic Fijian restaurant helps farmers and fishermen recover from natural disaster.

Odditorium

Discover Odditorium in Asheville, North Carolina: A 17th-century bezoar, dirt from an infamous site, and other curios decorate this unusual bar.

Usami Kannon-ji

Discover Usami Kannon-ji in Itō, Japan: The largest seated Buddha statue in Japan is the centerpiece of an abandoned complex in a quiet, seaside town.

Sir William Percy Cowley Memorial

Discover Sir William Percy Cowley Memorial in Cregneash, Isle of Man: On the southeastern tip of the Isle of Man, a stone monument to one of the island's great conservationists.

Melkfabriek de Hoop

Discover Melkfabriek de Hoop in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands: This building once stood at the center of a butter war.

The House with Two Numbers

Discover The House with Two Numbers in Baarle-Hertog, Belgium: This residence straddles a border between Belgium and the Netherlands.

Tuvalu Women’s Handicraft Centre

Discover Tuvalu Women’s Handicraft Centre in Vaiaku, Tuvalu: Ancient weaving techniques are used to create these colorful souvenirs.

‘Memoria e Luce’

Discover 'Memoria e Luce' in Padua, Italy: A twisted steel beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center is the centerpiece of this memorial for those who died on September 11, 2001.

Praia do Cassino

Discover Praia do Cassino in Rio Grande, Brazil: The longest sea beach in the world can be found on the southern coast of Brazil.

Big Water of Fleet Viaduct

Discover Big Water of Fleet Viaduct in Dumfries, Scotland: This 900-foot structure with 20 arches crossing a Scottish river was built in the late 19th century.

Núcleo Museológico do Sal

Discover Núcleo Museológico do Sal in Figueira da Foz, Portugal: This museum documents the ancient practice of salt production in Figueira da Foz.

Larne Jaunting Car Sculpture

Discover Larne Jaunting Car Sculpture in Larne, Northern Ireland: These vehicles were once a regular sight traveling up the Antrim Coast Road from Larne.

Presidential Palace

Discover Presidential Palace in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau: Built by Portuguese colonizers, the palace is now the seat of power for the independent nation.

The Guild Inn Estate

Discover The Guild Inn Estate in Toronto, Ontario: The remains of a once-famous hotel that also acted as an artist colony.

Horoku Inari Shrine

Discover Horoku Inari Shrine in Tokyo, Japan: Unfortunate lottery tickets are disregarded at this shrine in hopes of better luck.

Glenquicken Stone Circle

Discover Glenquicken Stone Circle in Creetown, Scotland: A gap marks the spot where a now-missing stone once completed the circular arrangement at this Neolithic site.

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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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