Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Summersville Lake Lighthouse

Discover Summersville Lake Lighthouse in Mt Nebo, West Virginia: A lighthouse on this West Virginia lake started as a joke, then the forces of nature helped make it a reality.

Smoke Hole Caverns

Discover Smoke Hole Caverns in Cabins, West Virginia: Spectacular mineral formations fill these caves, which have been used for everything from smoking meat to stashing illicit liquor.

Amy Johnson Statue

Discover Amy Johnson Statue in Herne Bay, England: A statue paying homage to a world-record-setting aviator who disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Heather Street Wright Houses

Discover Heather Street Wright Houses in Manchester, New Hampshire: Not one, but two of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpieces nestled on the same street.

Casa Gilardi

Discover Casa Gilardi in Mexico City, Mexico: The last home designed in its entirety by noted architect Luis Barragán owes its existence to an impressive jacaranda tree.

The Old Quay, Newlyn

Discover The Old Quay, Newlyn in Newlyn, England: A medieval quay that was the Mayflower's final port of call before sailing for America.

Ohrmann Museum & Gallery

Discover Ohrmann Museum & Gallery in Drummond, Montana: A metal menagerie fills the yard of this museum and gallery, the work of Montana artist Bill Ohrmann.

New Italy

Discover New Italy in New Italy, Australia: Once a farming community founded by the Italian survivors of an immigration scam, this colony is now a free camp and roadside attraction.

Fior D’ Italia

Discover Fior D' Italia in San Francisco, California: America's oldest Italian restaurant is a San Francisco institution.

Sir Arthur Chichester Mural

Discover Sir Arthur Chichester Mural in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: A mural commemorating a man who was instrumental in the development and expansion of Belfast.

Fall Creek Falls

Discover Fall Creek Falls in Swan Valley, Idaho: A creek tumbles over a series of step-like rocks to create this scenic water feature.

The Story Bank

Discover The Story Bank in Maryborough, Australia: A museum dedicated to the legacy of writer P.L. Travers and her most beloved character, Mary Poppins.

Teakettle Rock

Discover Teakettle Rock in Jemez Springs, New Mexico: A strange sandstone formation in the middle of nowhere presents an interesting climbing opportunity.

Sharp Top Crash Site

Discover Sharp Top Crash Site in Bedford, Virginia: A glimpse into the sacrifices of military members during World War II.

Mary Church Terrell House

Discover Mary Church Terrell House in Washington, D.C.: The former home of the woman who successfully fought to integrate restaurants in Washington, D.C.

Book and Bed Hostel

Discover Book and Bed Hostel in Tokyo, Japan: If you forgot something to read during your trip to Tokyo, this hostel has you covered.

Stadtpark Mainz

Discover Stadtpark Mainz in Mainz, Germany: Along the banks of the River Rhine lies a park that seems unassuming, but beneath the surface lies a long and fascinating history.

Vic’s Ice Cream Parlor

Discover Vic's Ice Cream Parlor in Sacramento, California: At this 1940s-era neighborhood favorite, you can still drink a cherry phosphate.

Menu

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

PP ToS