Archives: Atlas Obscuras

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.

Godfrey Mister Donut

Discover Godfrey Mister Donut in Godfrey, Illinois: Though it's thrived abroad, this forgotten Dunkin' rival has just one store left in the States.

McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel

Discover McNamara Terminal Light Tunnel in Detroit, Michigan: Inside the Wayne County airport is an amazing collection of lights and sounds.

WWII Royal Air Force Crash Sites

Discover WWII Royal Air Force Crash Sites in Mid and East Antrim, Northern Ireland: This memorial site offers scenic views and a peaceful place for reflection.

Elephant Rocks

Discover Elephant Rocks in Island Cliff, New Zealand: It took millions of years for these rocks to resemble their mammalian counterparts.

Bab Agnaou

Discover Bab Agnaou in Marrakesh, Morocco: One of the two original gateways into the Kasbah, this gateway is a nesting site for storks.

Fitzgerald Fountain

Discover Fitzgerald Fountain in Mumbai, India: A tribute to one of Bombay's former governors that has withstood the test of time.

‘Conny The Whale’

Discover 'Conny The Whale' in West Hartford, Connecticut: Journey inside the bowels of this sperm whale sculpture.

Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

Discover Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art in Salisbury, Maryland: A tribute to two brothers' artistic endeavors.

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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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