Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Rotunda of the Provinces

Discover Rotunda of the Provinces in Washington, D.C.: An echo chamber with a waterfall wrapped around its base at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

1972 Taroom Truck Explosion Memorial

Discover 1972 Taroom Truck Explosion Memorial in Coorada, Australia: One of the biggest mysteries of Central Queensland: How did this truck spontaneously combust with the force of a massive bomb?

Snake Road

Discover Snake Road in Wolf Lake, Illinois: Twice a year, this road is closed off to allow for the migration of thousands of snakes, reptiles and amphibians between cliffs and a swamp.

Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage)

Discover Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage) in Mantua, Italy: A medieval tower with a suspended iron cage used as an open-air jail for criminals who were exposed as a warning.

The Star Islands of Qian’an

Discover Star Islands of Qian'an in Tangshan, China: Though these human-made islands were constructed as an escape for the wealthy, they rarely see many visitors.

Old Lifeboat House

Discover Old Lifeboat House in Lytham, England: This former lifeboat house now used by a funeral service was the site of a 19th-century boating tragedy.

Santuário de Santa Luzia

Discover Santuário de Santa Luzia in Viana do Castelo, Portugal: An icon of the city, this chapel features an amazing dome ceiling and offers panoramic views.

Forth Bridge

Discover Forth Bridge in Inverkeithing, Scotland: A remarkable feat of Victorian engineering across the Firth of Forth.

Kennedy Biscuit Lofts

Discover Kennedy Biscuit Lofts in Cambridge, Massachusetts: Whimsical cookie-themed plaques mark the birthplace of the Fig Newton.

Intel Museum

Discover Intel Museum in Santa Clara, California: The headquarters of the semiconductor giant has a 10,000-square-foot museum.

Knight Foundry

Discover Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek, California: Founded in 1873 to support the needs of the gold mines flourishing nearby, this is the last water-powered foundry in the United States.

‘The Vision of Constantine’

Discover 'The Vision of Constantine' in Vatican City: This equestrian statue of Constantine the Great has been the subject of criticism for centuries.

Wood County Museum

Discover Wood County Museum in Bowling Green, Ohio: Evidence from a brutal 1880s murder is on display at this former infirmary house.

Sculpture of Eugenia Martínez Vallejo

Discover Sculpture of Eugenia Martínez Vallejo in Avilés, Spain: The young girl gained fame for her atypical size and was regarded as a curiosity by the Spanish aristocracy.

‘The Shell Lady of Margate’

Discover 'The Shell Lady of Margate' in Margate, England: Overlooking the seaside town of Margate stands a tribute to an artist's lover.

Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark

Discover Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark in Fostoria, Ohio: Train fans from all over flock to this railroad viewing park where three lines converge.

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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

PP ToS