Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Joe Gelato

Discover Joe Gelato in Mexico City, Mexico: Worm salt and other local ingredients are on the menu at this cult favorite ice cream shop.

Silvana Nakamura Mosaico

Discover Silvana Nakamura Mosaico in Tupã, Brazil: This artist's studio is decorated inside and out with tiles, mosaics, and ceramic dishware.

Devetashka Cave

Discover Devetashka Cave in Devetaki, Bulgaria: A massive cave once a secret military base is now home to thousands of bats.

The World’s Oldest Retail Bank

First founded in 1472, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the oldest bank in the world. Its history may explain why we call financial institutions "banks."

Tim Willis’ Junkyard Playground

Discover Tim Willis' Junkyard Playground in Cleveland, Ohio: Old car parts and assorted materials get turned into one man's mechanical treasures on the side streets of Cleveland.

Stone Gargoyle Chair

Discover Stone Gargoyle Chair in Durham, England: An unusual stone chair can be found on the banks of the River Wear, not far from Durham Cathedral.

Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway

Discover Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway in Corinne, Utah: This now-abandoned part of the original transcontinental railroad route provides a surreal driving and historical experience.

The Tomb Of Hannah Courtoy

Discover The Tomb Of Hannah Courtoy in London, England: According to legend, this tomb holds the secrets to time travel.

‘Charles Edward 1864’

Discover ‘Charles Edward 1864’ in Metung, Australia: This work of art pays tribute to an iron-hulled paddled steamer that traveled the world.

34th Street Graffiti Wall

Discover 34th Street Graffiti Wall in Gainesville, Florida: Though illegal, city officials have made an exception for this work of art.

Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery

Discover Wyrd Leatherworks and Meadery in Portland, Oregon: Get your cosplay on at Portland’s only Medieval fantasy-themed mead hall.

Huber’s

Discover Huber’s in Portland, Oregon: The oldest restaurant in Portland serves fiery coffee cocktails and an astounding amount of turkey.

Chaukhandi Stupa

Discover Chaukhandi Stupa in Varanasi, India: The octagonal tower at this important Buddhist site was added many years after the temple's initial construction.

Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village

Discover Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village in Motloang, Lesotho: This sandstone plateau once served as a stronghold for Lesotho's King Moshoeshoe I and his subjects.

Acteal Pillar of Shame

Discover Acteal Pillar of Shame in Acteal, Mexico: A 26-foot tall roadside concrete pillar recalls a yet-unresolved 1997 political massacre.

Indian Canyons

Discover Indian Canyons in Palm Springs, California: Traversing these canyons, visitors can take in stunning views and glimpses of the region's history.

Menu

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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