Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Templer Way

Discover Templer Way in Devon, England: This trail follows unique stone railroad tracks and a historic waterway to the south coast of Devon.

Santuario de Atotonilco

Discover Santuario de Atotonilco in Atotonilco, Mexico: The walls and ceilings of the "Mexican Sistine Chapel" are almost completely covered with mural, sculpture, inscriptions and oil paintings.

Asakura Gallery

Discover Asakura Gallery in Tokyo, Japan: Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

Fergus Falls State Hospital

Discover Fergus Falls State Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota: This sprawling building built in 1890 was one of Minnesota’s earliest and largest mental health facilities.

Monument to Paul Keres

Discover Monument to Paul Keres in Narva, Estonia: Visitors can sit and study the board with this Estonian chess legend and International Grandmaster.

Tay Nguyen Biological Museum

Discover Tay Nguyen Biological Museum in Thành phố Đà Lạt, Vietnam: This former monastery in Vietnam now houses a chocolate shop and museum filled with centuries-old taxidermy specimens.

Ohaguro Ditch Wall Ruins

Discover Ohaguro Ditch Wall Ruins in Tokyo, Japan: These ordinary blocks of stone are the last surviving remains of Tokyo's infamous red-light district.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

Discover Tiger Leaping Gorge in Diqing Zangzuzizhizhou, China: One of the word's deepest gorges is also tied to a fantastic legend.

Fox Island Nature Preserve

Discover Fox Island Nature Preserve in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Discover a beautiful natural paradise, minutes away from a thriving city.

Rivelin Valley Chair

Discover Rivelin Valley Chair in Sheffield, England: Seemingly straight out of a fairy tale, a steel chair sits on a tiny island only accessible by stepping stones.

The Terrorium Shop

Discover The Terrorium Shop in Denver, Colorado: A beautiful combination of living flora with preserved bones covers the shelves of this shop.

Victorian Seaside Shelters

Discover Victorian Seaside Shelters in Hove, England: These seaside shelters once enjoyed by royalty remain a part of local history.

Seneca Schoolhouse

Discover Seneca Schoolhouse in Poolesville, Maryland: The oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Washington Family Church National Cathedral

Discover Washington Family Church National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.: An amazing example of early-20th-century architecture, this church features marble transported from Utah.

Grave of Johnny Appleseed

Discover Grave of Johnny Appleseed in Fort Wayne, Indiana: This grave marks the final resting place of pioneer John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed.

Kinstone

Discover Kinstone in Fountain City, Wisconsin: Hidden in magnificent rolling countryside, see what may be the largest modern stone circle in the world at Wisconsin's very own "Stonehenge”.

Palmatis Ruins

Discover Palmatis Ruins in Onogur, Bulgaria: On the outskirts of the small village, an abandoned grassy field glitters thanks to the white stones of an ancient structure.

Burg Lahneck

Discover Burg Lahneck in Lahnstein, Germany: Centuries of warfare, tragedy, executions, and poetry come together in this 13th-century fortress.

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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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