Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Wongaksa Pagoda

Discover Wongaksa Pagoda in Seoul, South Korea: This pagoda was once the central feature of a Buddhist temple that no longer exists.

The Steppes Sculptures

Discover The Steppes Sculptures in Steppes, Australia: These bronze sculptures can be found in an isolated patch of bush in Tasmania’s highlands.

Civic Pharmacy Sign

Discover Civic Pharmacy Sign in Ottawa, Ontario: This illuminated sign was the first of its kind in Canada and remains a vestige of the Atomic Age.

‘Oma maa mansikka’

Discover 'Oma maa mansikka' in Helsinki, Finland: This ten-ton fruit sculpture celebrates the Finland homeland.

Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain

Discover Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain in Seoul, South Korea: The world's longest bridge fountain has hundreds of nozzles that create a beautiful, illuminated spectacle.

Masjid Putra (Putra Mosque)

Discover Masjid Putra (Putra Mosque) in Putrajaya, Malaysia: Next to the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office stands this rose-colored mosque.

Walt Kelly Studio

Discover Walt Kelly Studio in Waycross, Georgia: The Okefenokee Swamp houses this "incredibobble" tribute to the creator of America’s favorite cartoon possum.

Headless Horseman Bridge

Discover Headless Horseman Bridge in Sleepy Hollow, New York: The real-life site of Ichabod Crane's infamous gourd attack.

Epiphyte Tree

Discover Epiphyte Tree in Mansfield, Connecticut: An artificial tree in the University of Connecticut greenhouses holds a collection of orchids, mosses, and other tropical epiphytic plants.

Borgata Maison

Discover Borgata Maison in Noasca, Italy: A schoolhouse and chapel are all that remains of this alpine village.

May 18th National Cemetery

Discover May 18th National Cemetery in Gwangju, South Korea: This cemetery is dedicated to the people who died fighting for democracy in South Korea.

Boston Hotel Buckminster

Discover Boston Hotel Buckminster in Boston, Massachusetts: This hotel was the site of major events in sports and radio history. It was also used as a detention center during World War II.

East Jersey Old Town Village

Discover East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway, New Jersey: A historic town sits upon the site of a long-lost 18th-century trading community.

Fajãs of São Jorge

Discover Fajãs of São Jorge in São Jorge, Portugal: Bits of flat terrain surrounded by cliffs make one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Azores.

Kurth Kiln

Discover Kurth Kiln in Gembrook, Australia: This kiln was erected to produce charcoal for gas producer units during World War II.

Heaven On Seven

Discover Heaven On Seven in Chicago, Illinois: Hidden on the 7th floor of a historic building, this Cajun spot features wall-to-wall bottles of hot sauce.

Fort A Site

Discover Fort A Site in Cape Girardeau, Missouri: This former Union fort commands a fine view of downtown Cape Girardeau and the Mississippi River.

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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