Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Long Bench

Discover The Long Bench in West Sussex, England: This multicolored meandering masterpiece is Britain's longest bench.

The White Post

Discover The White Post in White Post, Virginia: An eponymous directional signpost erected by the first president of the United States.

San Nicola in Carcere

Discover San Nicola in Carcere in Rome, Italy: This small church was constructed over the ruins of three temples dating to the Roman Republic.

‘La Ceiba’ Water Tank

Discover 'La Ceiba' Water Tank in Villahermosa, Mexico: The majestic, sacred tree is represented on this piece of public infrastructure.

9-11 Remembrance Garden

Discover 9-11 Remembrance Garden in Winslow, Arizona: This memorial includes fragments from one of the greatest tragedies in United States history.

Ki Castle (Kinojo Castle Ruins)

Discover Ki Castle (Kinojo Castle Ruins) in Soja, Japan: A rare example of an ancient Japanese hill castle believed to be the fortress of a legendary demon.

Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum

Discover Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum in Kathmandu, Nepal: This secluded museum beats the drum for the preservation of Nepal's musical heritage.

The Lodge of Edinburgh

Discover The Lodge of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland: Scotland's first Masonic lodge may also be the oldest in the world.

Ponte Nomentano

Discover Ponte Nomentano in Rome, Italy: One of Rome's most picturesque and original bridges was also a popular choice for Grand Tour artists.

Greenfield Valley Heritage Park

Discover Greenfield Valley Heritage Park in Greenfield, Wales: This park is home to a collection of important industrial and religious sites.

Belmont Enslaved Cemetery

Discover Belmont Enslaved Cemetery in Ashburn, Virginia: The largest cemetery for enslaved people in Loudoun County was almost lost to history, if not for the research of a minister.

Piazza Statuto

Discover Piazza Statuto in Turin, Italy: This fountain is dedicated to the workers who perished constructing the Fréjus Rail Tunnel.

Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors

Discover Ossian's Hall of Mirrors in Perth and Kinross, Scotland: Described by William Wordsworth as a "World of Wonder.".

Kaaimans Grotto

Discover Kaaimans Grotto in Wilderness, South Africa: This cave overlooking the Indian Ocean has been turned into a shelter and makeshift museum.

Hill O’ Many Stanes

Discover Hill O' Many Stanes in Mid Clyth, Scotland: A collection of short standing stones covers this hillside.

Taq Kasra

Discover Taq Kasra in Madain, Iraq: This remnant of an ancient Persian city is considered to be the world's largest single-span brick vault arch.

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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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