Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Arch of Dolabella

Discover Arch of Dolabella in Rome, Italy: This small Roman arch was transformed into a dwelling by the founder of the Trinitarian Order.

The First Amendment Museum

Discover The First Amendment Museum in Augusta, Maine: Located in the historic home of a newspaper publisher, this museum is dedicated to the Freedom of Speech.

Reaching Out Teahouse

Discover Reaching Out Teahouse in Hội An, Vietnam: Located off a bustling strip, a silent teahouse employs workers with hearing- or speech-related disabilities.

Falls of Shin

Discover Falls of Shin in Lairg, Scotland: This man-made waterfall was designed to help improve access for spawning salmon.

Casa dos Bicos

Discover Casa dos Bicos in Lisbon, Portugal: This unique architectural wonder is also tied to one of the 20th-century's most renowned writers.

Ame no Sakahoko

Discover Ame no Sakahoko in Miyakonojo, Japan: This mythical weapon stuck on the mountaintop is also the site of the first honeymoon in Japan's history.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Discover Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, England: Historic cuisine meets fine dining in a hotel-restaurant overlooking Hyde Park.

Hat Maker Statue

Discover Hat Maker Statue in Danbury, Connecticut: This statue commemorates the importance of hat manufacturing to Danbury, once known as the "Hat City of the World.".

Glacial Erratic

Discover Glacial Erratic in Pleasantville, New York: This giant rock arrived at this quiet park thousands of years ago on the back of a massive glacier.

‘Intersection Point Zero’

Discover 'Intersection Point Zero' in Carrizozo, New Mexico: This sculpture is intended to reset a person’s creativity.

Stokesay Castle

Discover Stokesay Castle in Stokesay, England: A 13th-century fortified manor house that was once sieged during the English Civil War.

Torre Di Vernazzano

Discover Torre Di Vernazzano in Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Italy: This lesser-known leaning tower is all that remains of the medieval castle of Vernazzano.

Arco di Trevi

Discover Arco di Trevi in Guarcino, Italy: This mysterious ancient arch is hidden in the forest of Simbruini Mountains Regional Park.

Mama Kannon Temple

Discover Mama Kannon Temple in Komaki, Japan: The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.

‘Xipe Totec’

Discover 'Xipe Totec' in Mexico City, Mexico: This neon installation is a tribute to a Mexica god, who gave his skin to humanity.

Pavillion Le Corbusier

Discover Pavillion Le Corbusier in Zürich, Switzerland: Constructed along the shores of Lake Zurich, this pavilion is a walk-through work of art.

Wallace Creek

Discover Wallace Creek in Santa Margarita, California: The San Andreas Fault spectacularly offsets this creek.

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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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