Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Cappella Delle Brunate (Barolo Chapel)

Discover Cappella Delle Brunate (Barolo Chapel) in La Morra, Italy: This brightly-colored chapel is a contemporary jewel standing in the middle of a La Morra vineyard.

Mary Poppins Statue

Discover Mary Poppins Statue in Maryborough, Australia: A statue of the beloved storybook character stands in front of the building in which her creator was born.

Hob Moor and Plague Stones

Discover Hob Moor and Plague Stones in York, England: When the plague struck York, this stone was used to leave supplies for the sick.

Zevenlandenhuizen (Seven Country Houses)

Discover Zevenlandenhuizen (Seven Country Houses) in Amsterdam, Netherlands: A set of seven houses, each built in a style that represents a European country.

Millicent Library

Discover Millicent Library in Fairhaven, Massachusetts: Some big-name visitors have patronized this small-town library named for an oil man's daughter.

The Old Water Tower

Discover The Old Water Tower in Pune, India: More than a century old, this heritage water tower is located in the middle of the high-rises of Pune.

Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano

Discover Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano in Grants, New Mexico: A frozen oasis lies beneath the scorching New Mexico desert.

Wolf Craig

Discover Wolf Craig in Stirling, Scotland: A distinctive building that incorporates a mythical beast into its architecture.

City of Rocks State Park

Discover City of Rocks State Park in Faywood, New Mexico: These unique volcanic rock formations offer the perfect opportunity to camp and hike.

Thorny Mountain Fire Tower

Discover Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Dunmore, West Virginia: This lookout tower built in the 1930s is now an in-demand cabin with what might be the best view of the Seneca State Forest.

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.

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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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