Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Breckenridge Troll

Discover Breckenridge Troll in Breckenridge, Colorado: Isak Heartstone, a 15-foot wooden troll made out of recycled materials.

Wapping Hydraulic Power Station

Discover Wapping Hydraulic Power Station in London, England: This hydraulic power system in London was, at one time, seen as a rival to electricity and the last of its kind to shut down.

Jerrassic Park – Metal Dinosaur Park

Discover Jerrassic Park – Metal Dinosaur Park in Virginia Beach, Virginia: Metal dinosaurs lurk in a sculpture garden on the outskirts of a popular resort town.

Genbikei Gorge

Discover Genbikei Gorge in Ichinoseki, Japan: A stretch of the Iwai River that features beautiful rocky cliffs, rapids, and flying dango.

The Blue Cottage

Discover The Blue Cottage in Centreville, Nova Scotia: Built more as a work of art than living quarters, this cottage has withstood the test of time.

Cerro Pedernal

Discover Cerro Pedernal in Cañones, New Mexico: A flat-topped butte that makes a constant backdrop for Western art.

Espigueros of Lindoso

Discover Espigueros of Lindoso in Lindoso, Portugal: These narrow stone granaries have been used to store and dry out grain for hundreds of years.

Scaliger Tombs

Discover Scaliger Tombs in Verona, Italy: These elaborate gothic monuments honor Verona's medieval lords.

Nola’s Iris Garden

Discover Nola's Iris Garden in San Jose, California: Exquisite irises bloom every spring in this hillside garden.

Maison du Charolais

Discover Maison du Charolais in Charolles, France: An interactive museum and restaurant devoted to a prestigious breed of cattle.

The Shelter Cocktail Lounge

Discover The Shelter Cocktail Lounge in Tucson, Arizona: This bomb shelter-themed bar has barely changed since it opened.

Plumb Beach

Discover Plumb Beach in Brooklyn, New York: Now owned by the National Park Service, this location was once home to illegal boxing matches.

Audiorama Parque España

Discover Audiorama Parque España in Mexico City, Mexico: This tiny garden was built specifically to provide a place of peace and serenity away from the busy city streets.

Museum of Historic Annapolis

Discover Museum of Historic Annapolis in Annapolis, Maryland: A quick journey through the history of Annapolis.

Lamoille Canyon

Discover Lamoille Canyon in Lamoille, Nevada: Drive up a paved road into "Nevada's Yosemite" for exquisite views and mountain hiking in an alpine setting.

Brooks Mansion

Discover Brooks Mansion in Washington, D.C.: This historic building is now home to the Public Access Corporation for the District of Columbia.

Subeng River Dinosaur Prints

Discover Subeng River Dinosaur Prints in Jonathans, Lesotho: Take a step into the Cretaceous Period with these preserved dinosaur tracks.

Dos du Dragon

Discover Dos du Dragon in Ivoini, Comoros: This moss-covered, rocky outcropping looks like a mythical beast resting in the water.

Galeria Atotonilco

Discover Galeria Atotonilco in Atotonilco, Mexico: Inside this gallery is amazing folk art from across Mexico.

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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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