Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Merdeka Square Flagpole

Discover Merdeka Square Flagpole in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: One of the world's tallest flagpoles.

The Dome of San Lorenzo

Discover The Dome of San Lorenzo in Turin, Italy: The intricate geometry inside this Baroque-style dome was designed to create "terror of the human soul.".

Nelsonville Brick Park

Discover Nelsonville Brick Park in Nelsonville, Ohio: This park pays homage to the region's rich industrial history of brick making.

Fort Lowell

Discover Fort Lowell in Tucson, Arizona: Visitors to this public park will also find the ruins of an old western fort.

Caglieron Caves

Discover Caglieron Caves in Fregona, Italy: These caves are home to a small church and were used to age cheese.

Andernach Geyser

Discover Andernach Geyser in Andernach, Germany: The highest cold-water geyser in the world.

Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob

Discover Plane Crash at Waterrock Knob in Sylva, North Carolina: Hidden amid a collection of trails is the site of a tragic crash.

Bunjil’s Shelter

Discover Bunjil's Shelter in Black Range, Australia: This ancient rock shelter features cave art and is one of the most culturally important sites in the country.

ReGEN Haus

Discover ReGEN Haus in Fillmore, California: An entertaining journey through the odd and strange awaits visitors to this shop.

“Cottage” Gas Station

Discover "Cottage" Gas Station in Ottawa, Ontario: This defunct Champlain Oil service station harkens back to the early days of automobiles.

The Painted Room Oxford

Discover The Painted Room Oxford in Oxford, England: This hidden 13th-century tavern room has a few Shakespearean connections.

Feuermelder

Discover Feuermelder in Berlin, Germany: A historic fire call point.

Witch’s Hat Pavilion

Discover Witch's Hat Pavilion in Reading, Pennsylvania: This semi-spooky remnant of an abandoned hotel provides fantastic views.

The Praying Shell

Discover The Praying Shell in Bolton-le-Sands, England: A limestone sculpture of a praying man resides over the site where 23 Chinese cockle pickers died.

Tower Bridge

Discover Tower Bridge in Sacramento, California: Art Deco stylings conceal the true nature of this bridge.

Njupeskärs Vattenfall

Discover Njupeskärs Vattenfall in Älvdalen S, Sweden: Believed to be the country's tallest waterfall, the Njupeskär is actually much smaller.

Orchard Heritage Park

Discover Orchard Heritage Park in Sunnyvale, California: 800 apricot trees honor Silicon Valley's agricultural history.

The Portland Observatory

Discover The Portland Observatory in Portland, Maine: The only remaining historic maritime signal station in the United States.

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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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