Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Chinhoyi Caves

Discover Chinhoyi Caves in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe: The stunningly blue waters of these beautiful caves also have a violent past.

Slepianskaya Waterway System

Discover Slepianskaya Waterway System in Minsk, Belarus: A system of constructed rapids and concrete waterfalls in a linear park on the Slepnya River.

Arch of Janus

Discover Arch of Janus in Rome, Italy: This one-of-a-kind Roman arch is not actually dedicated to the god Janus.

Bosco di Sant’Antonio

Discover Bosco di Sant'Antonio in Pescocostanzo, Italy: A fairy-tale-like forest that was sacred to Jupiter and Saint Anthony.

Selva di Malano

Discover Selva di Malano in Soriano nel Cimino, Italy: Ancient, mysterious stone altars are hidden among wild woods in central Italy.

Wells Cathedral Clock

Discover Wells Cathedral Clock in Somerset, England: This astronomical clock is the second oldest in England.

Carrickfergus Witches’ Pillory

Discover Carrickfergus Witches' Pillory in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: A replica memorializes the site where women were punished after the last witchcraft trial in Ireland.

Greek Revival Folk Art Chicken Coop

Discover Greek Revival Folk Art Chicken Coop in Greenville, South Carolina: This chicken coop pays homage to a classic architectural style made famous throughout the southern United States.

The Tomb of Maid Marian

Discover The Tomb of Maid Marian in Little Dunmow, England: It's believed Matilda Fitzwalter's life was the basis for the famed literary figure.

Nyālon (Fish Stone)

Discover Nyālon (Fish Stone) in Kathmandu, Nepal: This small shrine dedicated to a fish is believed to hold the secrets to this historic market's founding.

The Holestone

Discover The Holestone in Doagh, Northern Ireland: This mysterious Bronze Age standing stone has become a place where couples profess their love.

The Queen’s Letter

Discover The Queen's Letter in Sydney, Australia: This letter written by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 won't be opened until 2085.

All Saints’ Church, Brixworth

Discover All Saints' Church, Brixworth in Brixworth, England: This church is considered the largest and most complete Saxon church in England.

Prayer Mountain Hanwa

Discover Prayer Mountain Hanwa in Zaria, Nigeria: This collection of Christian churches are nestled in the cracks of a rocky hill in Northern Nigeria.

Map of Africa

Discover Map of Africa in Wilderness, South Africa: A beautiful viewpoint on the Garden Route overlooking a naturally-occurring outline of Africa.

Crookston School

Discover Crookston School in Wallyford, Scotland: This former school is now abandoned and a canvas for graffiti artists.

Temple of Hercules Victor

Discover Temple of Hercules Victor in Rome, Italy: This curious, round temple is the oldest still-standing marble building in Rome.

Lund Observatory Clock

Discover Lund Observatory Clock in Lund, Sweden: This antique clock once gave the most accurate time in the area.

Colinton Tunnel

Discover Colinton Tunnel in Edinburgh, Scotland: This former train tunnel is filled with lines from a poem crafted by Robert Louis Stevenson.

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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