Archives: Atlas Obscuras

‘Hvězdicová Kotelna’

Discover 'Hvězdicová Kotelna' in Slaný, Czechia: An unusual heating plant that has garnered notoriety for its distinct shape.

Kamakura’s Seven Entrances

Discover Kamakura's Seven Entrances in Kamakura, Japan: Narrow passes cut out of mountains surround the medieval capital of Japan.

Walraversijde

Discover Walraversijde in Ostend, Belgium: Rediscovered in 1992, this abandoned medieval village once flourished by fishing and piracy.

The Water Clock

Discover The Water Clock in Rome, Italy: This hydrochronometer was invented by a Dominican monk and is a prime feature in this garden.

Shiva Statue

Discover Shiva Statue in Shankharapur, Nepal: The spot where Parvati convinced Shiva to marry her, has become a pilgrimage site for married and unmarried women.

Monkey Beach

Discover Monkey Beach in West Mersea, England: This stretch of beach is the site of a prime watering hole and a primate watchtower.

Twilight Sculpture Garden

Discover Twilight Sculpture Garden in Montreal, Québec: A patch of contaminated land reclaimed as a scrappy sculptural oasis.

War Hostel Sarajevo

Discover War Hostel Sarajevo in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: This unusual hostel provides a glimpse of life in a city under siege.

Krutbanan (Gunpowder Track)

Discover Krutbanan (Gunpowder Track) in Stockholm, Sweden: This railroad track was so secretive that it was omitted from all maps.

Aikawa Prison

Discover Aikawa Prison in Sado, Japan: A wooden prison doesn't sound like a good idea, yet this abandoned 1950s detention center still stands today.

The Zenith

Discover The Zenith in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: This restaurant offers a side of antiques, curios, and a bathroom chock full of owls.

Usuki Stone Buddhas

Discover Usuki Stone Buddhas in Usuki, Japan: These medieval stone-cut Buddhist statues may protect visitors from being fired.

Staro Selo Open-Air Museum

Discover Staro Selo Open-Air Museum in Sirogojno, Serbia: This historical village takes you back to the 19th century.

Historic Walnford

Discover Historic Walnford in Allentown, New Jersey: Inside Crosswicks Creek Park resides an estate chronicling 200 years of history.

Glenn Stark Park

Discover Glenn Stark Park in Kingman, Kansas: This roadside park filled with unusual statues is on the grounds of an abandoned railway station.

Shanghai Film Park

Discover Shanghai Film Park in Shanghai, China: This film studio and amusement park is considered one of the greatest filming locations in China.

‘Saved by a Whale’s Tail’

Discover 'Saved by a Whale’s Tail' in Spijkenisse, Netherlands: This unique sculpture proved invaluable when it saved a train from careening off the tracks.

Promenade des Petits Ponts

Discover Promenade des Petits Ponts in Chevreuse, France: A total of 22 tiny bridges cross this canal of the Yvette River, forming a unique trail.

The Miss Jean Brodie Steps

Discover The Miss Jean Brodie Steps in Edinburgh, Scotland: These steps offer a breathtaking view of one of Europe's most besieged fortresses.

Abandoned Bunkers of Salpalinja

Discover Abandoned Bunkers of Salpalinja in Virolahti, Finland: Fortifications built for a Soviet invasion that never came now sit abandoned in a losing battle against nature.

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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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