Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Irugi Shrine

Discover Irugi Shrine in Tokyo, Japan: A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.

Mayhew Lodge

Discover Mayhew Lodge in Sedona, Arizona: Although now a decaying ruin, this stone cabin's history includes several notable figures.

Côa Museum

Discover Côa Museum in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Portugal: An architectural gem nestled into a promontory overlooking a prehistoric landscape.

Sycamore Gap

Discover Sycamore Gap in Henshaw, England: Also known as "Robin Hood's tree," this tree has become a famed location along Hadrian's wall.

Amideva Buddha Park

Discover Amideva Buddha Park in Kathmandu, Nepal: This religious site features Nepal’s largest statue of Buddha.

Waffle House Museum

Discover Waffle House Museum in Decatur, Georgia: A late-night restaurant empire was launched from this humble storefront.

George Mason’s Gunston Hall

Discover George Mason's Gunston Hall in Lorton, Virginia: The former home of the man whose radical ideas changed the nation.

Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)

Discover Myouryuji (Ninja Temple) in Kanazawa, Japan: Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

Castello della Valle

Discover Castello della Valle in Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Italy: The ruins of this medieval castle now stand as a monument against all wars.

Zhou Enlai’s Former Residence

Discover Zhou Enlai's Former Residence in Shanghai, China: The home where the first Premier of the People's Republic of China worked and lived.

Dunald Mill Limestone Quarry

Discover Dunald Mill Limestone Quarry in Nether Kellet, England: This abandoned limestone quarry now provides visitors with multiple, breathtaking viewpoints.

National Museum of Ancient Art

Discover National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon, Portugal: This little-known national museum houses over 40,000 works of art from across the world.

Indian Stones

Discover Indian Stones in Reading, Vermont: These commemorative stones honor a young woman born in captivity.

Penny Rock

Discover Penny Rock in Montrose, Pennsylvania: Visitors to Salt Springs State Park are encouraged to literally put their two cents in Penny Rock.

Peak Alum Works

Discover Peak Alum Works in Ravenscar, England: At the height of alum production at this factory, human urine was a valued commodity.

Lerwick Public Sign Snail

Discover Lerwick Public Sign Snail in Lerwick, Scotland: The unexpected mascot of Shetland's capital.

‘Gods and Goddesses of Baseball’

Discover 'Gods and Goddesses of Baseball' in San Francisco, California: A modern frieze of ancient Grecian mythological figures playing a national pastime.

Xuanwu Lake Park

Discover Xuanwu Lake Park in Nanjing, China: Once an imperial lake garden, anyone can now visit this city park.

Faidherbe Bridge

Discover Faidherbe Bridge in Saint-Louis, Senegal: A 19th-century architectural masterpiece with ties to Gustave Eiffel.

Gilmore Car Museum

Discover Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan: Home to over 300 antique cars and motorcycles, including Thomas Edison's Model A.

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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