Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Ardchattan Priory

Discover Ardchattan Priory in Ardchattan, Scotland: A private home envelops the ruins of this 13th-century priory.

‘Suitcase’

Discover 'Suitcase' in Zurich, Switzerland: Though it may look like a businessman's lost luggage, this case suspended under a highway bridge is actually a contemporary art installation.

Kilmartin Glen Prehistoric Monuments

Discover Kilmartin Glen Prehistoric Monuments in Kilmartin, Scotland: This collection of Neolithic monuments make up one of The U.K.'s richest archeological landscapes.

Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol

Discover Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol in Isulan, Philippines: This grand building inspired by classic Islamic architecture is home to a seat of provincial government.

Contoocook Railroad Covered Bridge

Discover Contoocook Railroad Covered Bridge in Contoocook, New Hampshire: The oldest covered railroad bridge still standing in the United States.

Louisiana Purchase State Park

Discover Louisiana Purchase State Park in Holly Grove, Arkansas: A short boardwalk through a swamp leads to the spot from which the Louisiana Purchase was surveyed.

Castello di Duino

Discover Castello di Duino in Duino, Italy: This beautiful 14th-century castle perched on a promontory overlooks the Bay of Trieste.

Pataleshwar Caves

Discover Pataleshwar Caves in Pune, India: An eighth-century rock-cut cave temple in the middle of Pune.

Avatar Grove

Discover Avatar Grove in Port Renfrew, British Columbia: This patch of old-growth forest is home to Canada's gnarliest tree.

Yawékon by Chef Tawnya Brant

Discover Yawékon by Chef Tawnya Brant in Ohsweken, Ontario: This Haudenosaunee restaurant is a delicious tribute to indigenous cuisine.

‘Der Krieg War’

Discover 'Der Krieg War' in Dresden, Germany: A moving and macabre World War I-era painting by the great artist Otto Dix.

Port Trust War Memorial

Discover Port Trust War Memorial in Mumbai, India: A sandstone lamp post in Mumbai's business district honors the war efforts of the Port Trust and its employees who fell during World War I.

Delta-09 Minuteman Missile Site

Discover Delta-09 Minuteman Missile Site in Wall, South Dakota: One of the first intercontinental ballistic missile sites in the United States.

Kallin Shell Midden

Discover Kallin Shell Midden in Outer Hebrides, Scotland: This impressive midden of scallop shells apparently all comes from a single fishing company.

The Doubleday House

Discover The Doubleday House in Ballston Spa, New York: The birthplace of the alleged inventor of baseball.

Corning Glass Bulb Flag

Discover Corning Glass Bulb Flag in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania: This unique creation was made by the largest manufacturer of Christmas bulbs in 1946 to honor those returning from World War II.

John Dillinger Courtroom

Discover John Dillinger Courtroom in Tucson, Arizona: A 1930’s courtroom where John Dillinger and his gang went before a judge.

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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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