Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Lyndhurst War Memorial

Discover Lyndhurst War Memorial in Lyndhurst, England: The famous Alice Liddell designed this memorial after losing her sons in World War I.

Old Stockbridge Market

Discover Old Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh, Scotland: The remnants of a facade from a 19th-century market stall emporium.

Temple of Portunus

Discover Temple of Portunus in Rome, Italy: This small, ancient Roman temple was once a church dedicated to the patron saint of penitents.

Shrine of Hercules Curinus

Discover Shrine of Hercules Curinus in Sulmona, Italy: The ruins of this temple were later chosen by Pope Celestine V to found an abbey and a hermitage.

Ferns of the World

Discover Ferns of the World in Decatur, Georgia: This collection of ferns from across the globe is the largest assortment in the United States.

Columbo Sahib’s Tomb

Discover Columbo Sahib’s Tomb in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Hidden under the thick tropical vegetation of a cemetery is the tomb of Columbo Sahib.

Mary Hardy MacArthur Memorial

Discover Mary Hardy MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia: The childhood home of the famous general's mother is now a small, walled garden.

Bearsden Roman Bathhouse

Discover Bearsden Roman Bathhouse in Glasgow, Scotland: Remnants of the Roman empire's northern frontier nestled in suburban Glasgow.

Bukovička Banja Park

Discover Bukovička Banja Park in Aranđelovac, Serbia: This spa park features an open-air museum of abstract marble sculptures.

Wampahoofus Trail

Discover Wampahoofus Trail in Underhill, Vermont: This path is named for a mythical half-boar, half-deer creature that once roamed the Green Mountains.

Rainbow Tomatoes Garden

Discover Rainbow Tomatoes Garden in East Greenville, Pennsylvania: This roadside stand packs 300-plus varieties of tomatoes, from "Maiden's Fire" to "Kaleidoscopic Jewel.".

Giant Toonie

Discover Giant Toonie in Campbellford, Ontario: This giant Canadian coin is a monument to the artist who created its iconic emblem.

Hormuz Island

Discover Hormuz Island in Hormuz, Iran: The colorful soil of Iran’s "Rainbow Island" attracts artists and nature lovers.

Cascata Grande di Isola del Liri

Discover Cascata Grande di Isola del Liri in Isola del Liri, Italy: Italy's only urban waterfall has enchanted artists and travelers for centuries.

Der Lichtbringer (The Bearer of Light)

Discover Der Lichtbringer (The Bearer of Light) in Bremen, Germany: A stunning gilt bronze relief denounced by Hitler as "degenerate art"—even though it was dedicated to the Nazi leader.

The Höglund Dugout

Discover The Höglund Dugout in Lindsborg, Kansas: This mid-19th-century dugout was once home to a Swedish family as they erected their homestead.

Castle Lug

Discover Castle Lug in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: This castle once belonged to one of the most prominent families of medieval Carrickfergus.

‘Ursus’

Discover 'Ursus' in Trieste, Italy: This historic floating crane became an unlikely symbol of the port of Trieste.

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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