Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Real de Catorce

When the minerals of a mining town have been fully extracted, there is a chance that it will become a ghost town. That is what happened to Real de Catorce in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí when its silver ran dry in the early 20th century. But i…

Chocolate ‘OJERT’ Mural Advert

Discover Chocolate 'OJERT' Mural Advert in Izamal, Mexico: A hand-painted advertisement for chocolate adorns the walls of this historic building.

Santuario de Schoenstatt ‘Maria, Camino al Cielo’

From Monterrey, climb the Cerro del Mirador mountain, and find the Church of Schönstatt amongst the hilltops. Leave comfort behind, depart on a physical journey, and find peace away from the big city. There are many of these little chapels located…

Librería Porrúa’s Sor Juana Book Mosaic

Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana, who would later come to be known by the name of Sor (Sister) Juana Inés de la Cruz (Sor Juana for short), was a 17th-century writer who made an impact not only on the literature but also the religious establish…

Galerías Plaza de las Estrellas

Opened in 1982, Galerías Plaza de las Estrellas was one of Mexico City’s first indoor shopping malls. In order to stand out from its competitors, a Walk of Fame was installed inside. Some peculiar prints are to be found here, boxer Julio César Cháv…

Casa China

For sale since 2017, Valladolid’s Casa China (Chinese House) is a very large building, painted in bright shades of red, green, and yellow, that stands out thanks to its East Asian-inspired architecture. With two guardian lions flanking the entrance an…

Ex-Convento Franciscano de Kikil

Discover Ex-Convento Franciscano de Kikil in Kikil, Mexico: The ruins of a 16th-century Spanish convent tell a forgotten history.

Museo de Manga (Manga Museum)

The Asociación México Japonesa (Mexico Japanese Association) was established in 1956 as a result of efforts from Mexico’s Japanese migrant and Japanese descendant communities, looking to establish tighter relationships between both countries and cul…

Funicular de Guanajuato

The city of Guanajuato is arguably one of the most scenic and vivid in Mexico. It is dispersed among hillsides that rise to an elevation of 6,725 feet above sea level; its lowest points meet centrally to comprise the Centro Histórico area. Get a taste …

El Río Mezquites

Discover El Río Mezquites in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: Swim alongside softshell turtles in these turquoise waters within the Cuatrociénegas Biosphere Reserve.

Cenote Ziiz Ha

After the Caribbean coast, cenotes are likely the most recognizable natural features of the Yucatan Peninsula. These sinkholes come in several shapes and sizes, and their importance was recognized by the indigenous Maya peoples, not only as freshwater s…

Mina de Mármol

Discover Mina de Mármol in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A former travertine mine traces the geological history of this unique desert filled with crystalline blue pools.

Photography Archive Museum

Mexico City is known for its number of museums. Many residents of the city and Mexicans in general, actually believe it to be the city with the most museums in the world. Most serious attempts at counting city museums seem to provide widely varying resu…

‘Espíritu de Luz’

Discover 'Espíritu de Luz' in Monterrey, Mexico: This ”skyspace,” which bears a resemblance to a spacecraft, is designed to disappear in the presence of light.

Dunas de Yeso

Discover Dunas de Yeso in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: These gleaming gypsum sand dunes are the second-largest in North America.

Casa de Cortés

Discover Casa de Cortés in La Antigua, Mexico: This atmospheric ruins are truly a sight to behold.

Cenote Ka’ Kutzal

In the Mayan language, Ka’ Kutzal, the name of this cenote, means “rebirth” or “back to life.” An appropriate name considering its history. The only Costco store in the city of Mérida (as of early 2023) sits between what is known as the city�…

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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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