Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Benedict Arnold’s London Residence

Discover Benedict Arnold's London Residence in London, England: A commemorative plaque at the door pays tribute to an "American Patriot" known for his betrayal.

Montale

Discover Montale in Città di San Marino, San Marino: The smaller of the three towers of San Marino is a former prison inaccessible from the ground level.

Elk Island National Park

Discover Elk Island National Park in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta: Watch bison, elk, and other wild animals up close at this national park.

Junaluska

Discover Junaluska in Boone, North Carolina: One of the oldest Black communities in western North Carolina and one of the largest Black Mennonite congregations in the country.

‘The Pharmacist’

Discover 'The Pharmacist' in Alexandria, Virginia: This pharmacist and his patient greet visitors to the National Community Pharmacists Association.

VisArt Video

Discover VisArt Video in Charlotte, North Carolina: Rare videos and memorabilia await visitors inside this unique store.

Illsan Lake Park

Discover Illsan Lake Park in Goyang-si, South Korea: Home to the largest artificial lake in Asia.

De Brandgrens (The Blaze Boundary)

Discover De Brandgrens (The Blaze Boundary) in Rotterdam, Netherlands: These lights mark the area of Rotterdam that was bombed and burned in 1940.

The Basalt Organ

Discover The Basalt Organ in Kisapáti, Hungary: Take a hike to this unique rock formation formed by lava flows.

The Bronze Relief of Edward Bright

Discover The Bronze Relief of Edward Bright in Essex, England: Known as the "The Fat Man of Maldon," Bright was a larger-than-life figure.

Poseokjeong Pavilion

Discover Poseokjeong Pavilion in Gyeongju, South Korea: All that remains of an ancient royal palace is a water channel that was used for drinking games.

Painted Mountains of Tabriz

Discover Painted Mountains of Tabriz in Tabriz, Iran: Colorful mineral deposits turn these mountains into an Impressionist fantasy.

Bowler Hat Sculpture

Discover Bowler Hat Sculpture in Dallas, Texas: This sculpture of a bowler hat is complemented by a matching umbrella a few blocks away.

Billy Bob’s Texas

Discover Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, Texas: The "world’s largest honky-tonk" also has its own indoor rodeo arena.

Gveleti Waterfall

Discover Gveleti Waterfall in Georgia: Hidden up a dusty track off the Georgian Military Road is this fascinating waterfall with mountainous views.

Living Sharks Museum

Discover Living Sharks Museum in Westerly, Rhode Island: Tucked away in downtown Westerly is America's first shark history museum.

Santuario del Señor de las Peñas

Discover Santuario del Señor de las Peñas in Reyes Etla, Mexico: This small church is surrounded by a landscape filled with hidden Zapotec ruins.

The Elk of Prince Street

Discover The Elk of Prince Street in Alexandria, Virginia: A massive, majestic mammal watches over pedestrians from his perch atop a former B.P.O.E. lodge.

Basilica di Sant’Andrea

Discover Basilica di Sant'Andrea in Mantua, Italy: It took more than 300 years to build this church, which is home to two sacred vessels believed to hold the blood of Christ.

The Box SF-Historic Pressroom and Mercantile

Discover The Box SF-Historic Pressroom and Mercantile in San Francisco, California: This antique shop specializes in the history of print and design and offers a 1 hour tour!

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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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