Archives: Atlas Obscuras

This Is Not a Tropical Beach

Discover West Berneray Beach in Outer Hebrides, Scotland: Despite what a Thai tourism board might want you to think, this white-sand beach is in fact located on a Scottish island.

Fort George

Discover Fort George in Mumbai, India: An 18th-century fort in the business district of Mumbai.

Bachelor Loop Interpretive Site

Discover Bachelor Loop Interpretive Site in Creede, Colorado: Take a self-guided tour through one of Colorado's most elevated mining districts.

Ballymeanoch Prehistoric Monuments

Discover Ballymeanoch Prehistoric Monuments in Kilmartin, Scotland: This Neolithic-era complex boasts standing stones, a cairn, and the only henge in Western Scotland.

The Lion’s Den

Discover The Lion's Den in Stirling, Scotland: It's said this was once the home of King James V's pet lion.

King’s Observatory

Discover King’s Observatory in London, England: Built by George III to observe the transit of Venus, this Georgian gem is a unique survivor in the Arcadian landscape of Richmond upon Thames.

Warrior Birds Memorial

Discover Warrior Birds Memorial in Worthing, England: An eccentric memorial garden to the "warrior" birds of World War I, the messenger pigeons used by the Allied forces.

Barra Bunting

Discover Barra Bunting in Outer Hebrides, Scotland: A collective artwork that any visitor to the islands of Barra and Vatersay can add to.

Ramparts of Beaune

Discover Ramparts of Beaune in Beaune, France: These ramparts, once lined with towers, were constructed in defense of Beaune.

Nöl Collective

Discover Nöl Collective in Ramallah, West Bank: The feminist fashion collective centering Palestinian craftsmanship and radical transparency.

Jardines de la Tamarita

Discover Jardines de la Tamarita in Barcelona, Spain: This mansion oasis contains gardens, sculptures, and fountains just off the busy Plaça Kennedy in Sant Gervasi.

Natzweiler-Struthof

Discover Natzweiler-Struthof in Natzwiller, France: Today this former Nazi concentration camp stands as a poignant memorial to the victims of fascism, and a warning from history.

Gilnockie Tower

Discover Gilnockie Tower in Canonbie, Scotland: This 16th-century tower house has a little hidden secret and a connection to an Apollo astronaut.

Hello Peoria Building

Discover Hello Peoria Building in Peoria, Illinois: Tiny treasures, giant murals, and strange sculptures decorate the windows and doors of this abandoned building.

Macleod’s Stone

Discover Macleod's Stone in Outer Hebrides, Scotland: This standing stone has a unique backdrop thanks to some of the United Kingdom's best-rated beaches.

John Milton Gregory’s Grave

Discover John Milton Gregory's Grave in Urbana, Illinois: The inconspicuous grave of the University of Illinois' first president is just steps from the main quadrangle.

Trilha dos Tucanos

Discover Trilha dos Tucanos in Tapiraí, Brazil: This unique bird reserve sits within an important fragment of Brazil's Atlantic rainforest.

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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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