Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Artpark Tegel

Discover Artpark Tegel in Berlin, Germany: This concrete residential area doubles as an open-air gallery.

Mörksugga Statue

Discover Mörksugga Statue in Avesta, Sweden: A cuddly version of a dark mythological creature now acts as the mascot of a town.

Standing Rock Monument

Discover Standing Rock Monument in Fort Yates, North Dakota: This stone, said to have once been a young woman, is sacred to the Dakota and Lakota nations.

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau Grave

Discover Jean Baptiste Charbonneau Grave in Jordan Valley, Oregon: A ghost town in a remote corner of Oregon hosts a touching tribute to Sacagawea’s son.

The Most Hated Sculpture in Melbourne

Discover 'Vault' in Southbank, Australia: This abstract sculpture was initially so disliked that it got moved to the outskirts of town a few months after installation.

Saint Genadio Cave

Discover Saint Genadio Cave in Priaranza del Bierzo, Spain: The cave where Saint Genadio meditated and played chess.

Al Capone Cherry Tree

Discover Al Capone Cherry Tree in Baltimore, Maryland: This lovely tree was a thank you gift from the man known as "Public Enemy No.1.".

Carmunnock War Memorial

Discover Carmunnock War Memorial in Clarkston, Scotland: This 1920's sandstone war memorial was constructed with an unusual drinking trough for horses.

Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Labyrinth)

Discover Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Labyrinth) in Hökåsen-Badelunda, Sweden: This 2,000-year-old stone maze is one of the oldest in the country, but its purpose is still a mystery.

Masson Mill

Discover Masson Mill in Matlock Bath, England: This historic textile mill has been repurposed as a shopping outlet, which houses a textile museum that celebrates its industrial past.

Hurricane of 1928 Mass Burial Site

Discover Hurricane of 1928 Mass Burial Site in West Palm Beach, Florida: This mass grave for victims of a massive hurricane remained hidden until 1991.

Devil’s Lake

Discover Devil's Lake in Baraboo, Wisconsin: A remnant of the last Ice Age, this lake is surrounded by fascinating rock formations.

Hermitage of Saint Michael on Mount Scalambra

Discover Romitorio di San Michele Arcangelo in Serrone, Italy: This small hermitage on Mount Scalambra was built near what some believe is the miraculous imprint of Saint Benedict's hand.

Suriname-Rivier

Discover Suriname-Rivier in Nieuw Amsterdam, Suriname: An old Dutch lightvessel is now stuck in a dock near the mouth of the Suriname River.

Beehive Brick Kiln

Discover Beehive Brick Kiln in Lorton, Virginia: The last of nine massive kilns that produced many of the red bricks for buildings in Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia in the early 20th century.

Andělská Hora Castle

Discover Andělská Hora Castle in Andělská Hora, Czechia: This ruined castle perched atop a rocky peak is a great place for a hike.

Asemapäällikönhovi Building

Discover Asemapäällikönhovi Building in Helsinki, Finland: This building featuring Brutalist architecture has a rich media production history.

Jim Murray Memorial

Discover Jim Murray Memorial in Newmains, Scotland: This bronze statue pays tribute to a Scottish professional boxer, who tragically died following a championship fight.

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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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