Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Naval Mine

Discover Naval Mine in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: This mine was once used to defend the coast from attack during World War II.

Wallowa Lake Tramway

Discover Wallowa Lake Tramway in Joseph, Oregon: The steepest tramway in North America provides stunning views of the out-of-the-way Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon.

Harumi Bridge

Discover Harumi Bridge in Tokyo, Japan: Disused for decades, this freight railway bridge is finally being renovated into a scenic promenade.

World’s Largest Christmas Bauble

Discover World's Largest Christmas Bauble in Groningen, Netherlands: Every winter, this former planetarium is transformed into a massive, brightly-lit Christmas ornament.

The Big Fish Supper Club

Discover The Big Fish Supper Club in Bena, Minnesota: An abandoned fish-shaped drive-in gets a second life as a restaurant.

Shade Tobacco Museum

Discover Shade Tobacco Museum in Havana, Florida: This small museum is dedicated to the history of Havana and Florida's once-booming tobacco industry.

The Santa Claus Museum of Columbus, Texas

Discover Santa Claus Museum in Columbus, Texas: An entire home filled with over 3,000 pieces of Santa memorabilia in glass cases, walls, on Christmas trees, and even in the bathroom.

The Santa Claus Museum of Columbus, Texas

Discover Santa Claus Musem in Columbus, Texas: An entire home filled with over 3,000 pieces of Santas in glass cases, walls, on Christmas trees, and even in the bathroom.

Chow Manderien’s Grave

Discover Chow Manderien's Grave in Boston, Massachusetts: The final resting place of the first documented Chinese person in the United States lies in a Boston cemetery.

Old Stone Church

Discover Old Stone Church in West Boylston, Massachusetts: The only surviving building of historic West Boylston, which was flooded to create the Wachusett Reservoir.

Hessian Barracks

Discover Hessian Barracks in Frederick, Maryland: Historic barracks utilized during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

The Fairy Glen – Rosemarkie

Discover The Fairy Glen – Rosemarkie in Rosemarkie, Scotland: This lovely Scottish nature walk leads to the source of a local legend.

Hunin Castle

Discover Hunin Castle in Margaliot, Israel: Crusader ruin with views over South Lebanon.

The Famous Rock of Tondi

Discover The Famous Rock of Tondi in Tallinn, Estonia: A large boulder was declared a local landmark by a popular vlogger.

Jan Joosten Memorial

Discover Jan Joosten Memorial in Tokyo, Japan: A commemoration of the first Dutchman to reach Japan, whose name still echoes in the heart of Tokyo.

Bethan’s Rock

Discover Bethan's Rock in Poole, England: This rock was donated to the museum by an inspired young visitor.

Wandsworth Roundabout Underpass

Discover Wandsworth Roundabout Underpass in London, England: This underpass became an unlikely piece of cinematic history after its appearance in 'A Clockwork Orange.'.

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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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