Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Indira Gandhi Planetarium

Discover Indira Gandhi Planetarium in Lucknow, India: Inside the dome of this gigantic, Saturn-shaped building is one of the largest planetariums in Asia.

Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry

Discover Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, Michigan: This museum explores the history and development of dentistry and dental technology in Michigan.

Oaks Memorial Sculpture

Discover Oaks Memorial Sculpture in Barnsley, England: Graham Ibbesons's moving tribute to the victims of England's worst mining disaster.

‘Printer’s Devil’

Discover 'Printer's Devil' in York, England: A Reformation-era fiery figurehead once denoted this location as a print shop.

Rusovce Mansion

Discover Rusovce Mansion in Bratislava, Slovakia: A once-fairy tale mansion now stands in a state of disrepair.

‘Wake’

Discover 'Wake' in Seattle, Washington: This sculpture forces visitors to confront their relationship with space.

Looking Glass Rock

Discover Looking Glass Rock in Brevard, North Carolina: This granite rock face is named for the magnificent reflection that occurs when the sun hits it just right.

Chatham Catalpas

Discover Chatham Catalpas in Fredericksburg, Virginia: These trees are living witnesses to events that inspired poet Walt Whitman’s service during the American Civil War.

Nansen Ski Jump

Discover Nansen Ski Jump in Milan, New Hampshire: This site was once the largest ski jump tower in the world.

Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Discover Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minnesota: A hidden oasis in the heart of Minneapolis is also an Important Bird Area.

Valaste Waterfall

Discover Valaste Waterfall in Valaste, Estonia: This stunning limestone waterfall is the highest in Estonia.

Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Discover Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis, Minnesota: This hidden oasis in the heart of Minneapolis is also an Important Bird Area.

Odiham Pest House

Discover Odiham Pest House in Odiham, England: A rare survivor from the age of plagues.

Santa Prisca Skeleton

Discover Santa Prisca Skeleton in Taxco, Mexico: A skeleton without arms watches over the side door of one of the most beautiful baroque temples in Mexico.

The Headless Empress

Discover The Headless Empress in Fort-de-France, Martinique: On a small island in the Caribbean, a statue of Napoleon's first wife has been beheaded and covered in red paint.

‘Astro Boy Mosaic’

Discover 'Astro Boy Mosaic' in Tokyo, Japan: Japan's iconic sci-fi hero rendered to 8-bit by notorious French street artist Invader.

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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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