Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum

Discover Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum in Hemphill, Texas: Located in the place where the Columbia space shuttle came down, a museum-memorial that is both touching and informative.

Ruins of St. John’s Episcopal Church

Discover Ruins of St. John's Episcopal Church in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: Built in the 1850s, this church was of the first five churches constructed in Harper's Ferry.

Garnet Pool

Discover Garnet Pool in Greens, New Hampshire: A long-forgotten Victorian swimming hole is still a fun spot for a dip.

Herrick Sawmill

Discover Herrick Sawmill in Florence, Colorado: An abandoned sawmill from more than 134 years ago stands testament to the ambition of one man.

Cloudland Memorial Arch

Discover Cloudland Memorial Arch in Bowen Hills, Australia: This arch celebrates the romantic memories of those who danced at the Cloudland Ballroom.

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion

Discover Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in Seoul, South Korea: A unique structure located on the grounds of one of five grand palaces that were built by the Joseon dynasty.

Former Qing Dynasty’s Legation

Discover Former Qing Dynasty's Legation in Washington, D.C.: This apartment building designed by a notable Washington D.C. architect housed the Qing Dynasty's Legation.

Hobo Joe

Discover Hobo Joe in Buckeye, Arizona: A giant mascot, a car bomb, and the mafia mingle in the history of a defunct restaurant chain.

Church Pillars of Sai Island

Discover Church Pillars of Sai Island in Wadi Halfa, Sudan: These pillars are one of the few remnants from the mysterious lost empire of Makuria.

Richmond Bridge

Discover Richmond Bridge in Richmond, Australia: It's beautiful, it's haunted and its claim to fame is that it's the oldest existing stone arch bridge in Australia.

Collection of Peddler Bicycles

Discover Collection of Peddler Bicycles in Almenno San Bartolomeo, Italy: An eclectic collection of highly specialized bicycles once used by artisans for their specific needs.

“Angels” of Ek’ Balam

Discover "Angels" of Ek' Balam in Ekbalam, Mexico: These winged Maya figures are the subject of speculation and conspiracies.

Jefferson Rock

Discover Jefferson Rock in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: This shale formation along the Appalachian Trail once inspired the third president of the United States.

Pine Valley Chapel

Discover Pine Valley Chapel in Pine Valley, Utah: This church was constructed by a shipbuilder and designed like an upside-down boat.

‘Echodrome’

Discover 'Echodrome' in Lausanne, Switzerland: This large sculpture of white plates and forms is actually a huge sound amplifier.

MiG-21 Monument

Discover MiG-21 Monument in Zelenikovo, Bulgaria: A supersonic jet stands on a pedestal in this rural village as a monument to military aviation.

Eastern Sub-Continental Divide Mural

Discover Eastern Sub-Continental Divide Mural in Atlanta, Georgia: A little-known mural reveals the hydrological reason for Atlanta's founding in this location.

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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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