Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Novis Mortem Collective

Discover Novis Mortem Collective in Colorado Springs, Colorado: Inside this shop, visitors are treated to a unique blend of natural history and art.

Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries

Discover Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries in Dunfermline, Scotland: Andrew Carnegie funded the building of almost 3,000 libraries across the world, this was the first.

Temple of Mithras, Carrawburgh

Discover Temple of Mithras, Carrawburgh in Northumberland, England: This temple was constructed entirely by Roman soldiers.

Granger Stage Station

Discover Granger Stage Station in Granger, Wyoming: Mark Twain once stopped at this rest station during his journey to Nevada.

Maen Achwyfan Cross

Discover Maen Achwyfan Cross in Pen-yr-Allt, Wales: This mysterious wheel-cross is the tallest in Britain.

John Rattray Statue

Discover John Rattray Statue in Edinburgh, Scotland: The man who helped establish the first rules of golf.

Runstenskullen (The Rune Stone Hill)

Discover Runstenskullen (The Rune Stone Hill) in Lund, Sweden: These ancient rune stones plucked from the countryside now call this university park home.

Socialist Hall

Discover Socialist Hall in Butte, Montana: One of the last socialist halls still standing in the United States.

Neidhart Frescoes

Discover Neidhart Frescoes in Vienna, Austria: A glimpse into the festive and private lives of medieval Europe.

St Seiroil’s Well

Discover St Seiroil's Well in Beaumaris, Wales: A holy well believed to have healing powers.

California School for the Blind

Discover California School for the Blind in Fremont, California: Sporting Brutalist architecture, this school is hidden amid a quiet suburban neighborhood.

Vermont Toy Museum

Discover Vermont Toy Museum in Hartford, Vermont: Inside this community-run museum, visitors are treated to the history of toys and games.

Brady Bunch Home

Discover Brady Bunch Home in Los Angeles, California: The exterior of this home was used for the hit television show, The Brady Bunch.

Foxton Locks

Discover Foxton Locks in Foxton, England: The longest and steepest staircase locks in the United Kingdom.

Andong Hahoe Folk Village

Discover Andong Hahoe Folk Village in Andong, South Korea: A traditional village rooted in the Joseon Dynasty.

Show Your Stripes

Discover Show Your Stripes in San Jose, California: Anyone can control this glittery light installation with just a phone call.

Secret Weapon Bunker

Discover Secret Weapon Bunker in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Nearly three tons of weapons from the Vietnam War still remain in this small, hidden museum.

Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower

Discover Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower in Keyser, West Virginia: This former fire tower found new life as a communications hub complete with a scenic overlook.

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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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