Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi

Discover The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi in Yoshimi, Japan: This ancient burial site was once thought to be the home of a race distinctive to Ainu folklore.

Pioneer Mom and Daughter Roadside Statue

Discover Pioneer Mom and Daughter Roadside Statue in Frackville, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s creepiest roadside attraction is a haunting example of roadside kitsch.

Carlyle House Historic Park

Discover Carlyle House Historic Park in Alexandria, Virginia: A superbly preserved example of Georgian residential architecture that was once home to one of the founders of Alexandria, Virginia.

The Grotesques of Urgnano Castle

Discover The Grotesques of Urgnano Castle in Urgnano, Italy: Statues portraying anatomical deformities were placed in this garden to foster ethical behavior.

Jardins de les 3 Xemeneies

Discover Jardins de les 3 Xemeneies in Barcelona, Spain: An open-air "garden" of mural art that changes weekly.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Discover Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey: Take a step into the workshop where Edison and his employees revolutionized the world.

Mannakin Hall

Discover Mannakin Hall in Fulbeck, England: This 20-foot mountain is made up of some 15,000 mannequins—if you visit, you can even take a piece home with you.

Kisiljevo Cemetery

Discover Kisiljevo Cemetery in Kisiljevo, Serbia: The final resting place of one of the first alleged vampires.

Dr James Ramsay Fountain

Discover Dr James Ramsay Fountain in Prahran, Australia: This Australian drinking fountain pays tribute to the generosity and talent of a 19th-century Scottish doctor.

Wall of The Drunken Boat

Discover Wall of The Drunken Boat in Paris, France: A poem by Arthur Rimbaud is inscribed on the wall of a street that, while it is only one block long, plays a key role in multiple novels.

Model Tudor Village

Discover Model Tudor Village in East Melbourne, Australia: A historic model village was gifted from residents of London to Melbourne as thanks for their help during World War II.

Burj Al Babas

Discover Burj Al Babas in Mudurnu, Turkey: The only residents of this abandoned housing development full of identical castles are stray cats and dogs.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Discover Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Pennsylvania: Beautiful views of the surrounding hills and birds of prey can be found at this sanctuary.

Sam Patch’s Grave

Discover Sam Patch's Grave in Rochester, New York: Known by nicknames like the "Jersey Jumper" and the "Daring Yankee," Patch was the first famous daredevil in the United States.

Spitz Clock

Discover Spitz Clock in Santa Fe, New Mexico: This giant pocket watch is the third iteration of a local landmark that has been standing just off the Santa Fe Plaza for over 100 years.

Sunnyside Conservatory

Discover Sunnyside Conservatory in San Francisco, California: Over a century old, this restored Victorian building is surrounded by a lush garden filled with rare palms.

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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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