Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Triadelphia Bell

Discover The Triadelphia Bell in Ashton-Sandy Spring, Maryland: This bell is one of the last remnants of the lost city of Triadelphia.

The Unmarked Grave of Christer Pettersson

Discover The Unmarked Grave of Christer Pettersson in Hagalund, Sweden: Not far from where one of the most famous Swedes of all time is buried, an infamous man was put to rest.

Murals of Hellissandur

Discover Murals of Hellissandur in Hellissandur, Iceland: Dozens of large, brightly-colored paintings adorn the walls of the "street art capital of Iceland.".

The Laurel and Hardy Museum

Discover The Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston, England: This museum dedicated to the famous comedy duo is located in the town where Stan Laurel was born.

Via degli Asini (The Donkey’s Road)

Discover Via degli Asini (The Donkey's Road) in Brisighella, Italy: Built as a defensive structure, this medieval walkway road offers a unique view of the village of Brisighella.

Grave of Arland D. Williams, Jr.

Discover Grave of Arland D. Williams, Jr. in Mattoon, Illinois: The final resting place of the hero of Air Florida Flight 90 known as "the man in the water.".

Chiquihuitillos

Discover Chiquihuitillos in Mina, Mexico: A rocky shelter in the desert hides one of the largest concentrations of cave paintings in Mexico.

The Linden Oak

Discover The Linden Oak in Bethesda, Maryland: This mighty white oak in Bethesda survived both the American Revolution and the construction of Washington D.C.'s metro red line.

Tiananmen Memorial

Discover Tiananmen Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts: A memorial to Chinese freedom in the city where American freedom was born.

Echuca Wharf

Discover Echuca Wharf in Echuca, Australia: A timber wharf that contributed to Echuca becoming the largest inland port in 19th-century Australia.

Sarmizegetusa Regia

Discover Sarmizegetusa Regia in Costești, Romania: Once the legendary capital of the Dacian Kingdom, this city has been reduced to mere ruins.

Moll Dyer Rock

Discover Moll Dyer Rock in Leonardtown, Maryland: The rock on which Moll Dyer was found frozen to death is said to still bear her handprint.

Conca del Bertazzolo

Discover Conca del Bertazzolo in Governolo, Italy: Nearly 800 years old, this river lock is now a public park with a former fortified island.

Orchilla Lava Tube

Discover Cueva Volcánica de Orchilla (Orchilla Lava Tube) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain: An untouched lava tube accessible to the adventurers.

Fort Ward Park

Discover Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, Virginia: Built to defend Washington D.C. during the Civil War, this fort became a post-war nucleus for a thriving Black community.

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Discover Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins in Noord, Aruba: The remnants of an abandoned, 19th-century gold mill along Aruba's rugged northeastern coast.

Eagle Rock

Discover Eagle Rock in Edinburgh, Scotland: A remnant of the Roman army's presence on the coast of Scotland.

Termitopia

Discover Termitopia in Las Marías, Puerto Rico: An artist’s underground sanctuary, 40 years in the making.

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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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