Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Avatar Secret Garden

Discover Avatar Secret Garden in Tanjung Bungah, Malaysia: A tropical rainforest designed to resemble a scene from the monumental film.

First Encounter Beach Plaque

Discover First Encounter Beach Plaque in Eastham, Massachusetts: This beautiful Cape Cod beach offers dazzling views and an interesting historical footnote.

‘Mustangs of Las Colinas’

Discover 'Mustangs of Las Colinas' in Irving, Texas: This strategically-placed fountain creates the magnificent illusion of mustangs galloping across a river.

Concrete Plant Park

Discover Concrete Plant Park in Bronx, New York: A riverfront park that both remediated and preserved its industrial past.

Palazzo San Giorgio

Discover Palazzo San Giorgio in Genoa, Italy: Once home to one of the oldest banks in the world, this building is also where Marco Polo's famous travelogue was written.

Dulsie Bridge

Discover Dulsie Bridge in Nairn, Scotland: One of the most spectacular 18th-century bridges in Scotland.

Ancient Ruins on Selley Street

Discover Ancient Ruins on Selley Street in Athens, Greece: These ancient ruins hide in plain sight next to a dessert shop.

Edivo Vina Winery

Discover Edivo Vina Winery in Drače, Croatia: Dive for drinks at Croatia's first and only underwater winery.

Sibebe Rock

Discover Sibebe Rock in Mbabane, Eswatini: This granite mountain is the largest rock in Africa and the second-largest monolith in the world.

The Perch Inn

Discover The Perch Inn in Binsey, England: This historic pub is a hidden gem for fans of Lewis Carroll.

Mara Kannon

Discover Mara Kannon in Nagato, Japan: This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

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.

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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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