Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Stazione Neapolis

Discover Stazione Neapolis in Naples, Italy: A special area of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is located inside a metro station.

The Wedgwood Rock

Discover The Wedgwood Rock in Seattle, Washington: This quiet neighborhood is also home to a 700-ton rock transported by the last Ice Age.

The Shropshire Mammoth

Discover The Shropshire Mammoth in Shropshire, England: A replica of one of the most complete mammoth skeletons discovered in England.

Great Mosque of Xi’an

Discover Great Mosque of Xi'an in Xian Shi, China: Although resembling a grand Buddhist temple, this structure is actually the largest mosque in China.

Sedia del Diavolo

Discover Sedia del Diavolo in Rome, Italy: According to local folklore, this Roman sepulcher was once a throne for the Devil.

Nisco Museum

Discover Nisco Museum in Ein Hod, Israel: It took a lifetime to collect these mechanical musical wonders.

Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

Discover Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle in Singapore: This family-owned pottery shop is home to the last operational dragon kiln in Singapore.

Queen Mary’s Bath House

Discover Queen Mary's Bath House in Edinburgh, Scotland: The building where Queen Mary of Scotland was said to have bathed in white wine.

Freddie Mercury Statue

Discover Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux, Switzerland: This statue pays tribute to the iconic musician in the place where he recorded his final studio album.

Morris Frank and Buddy

Discover Morris Frank and Buddy in Morristown, New Jersey: A trompe-l'oeil statue honoring the first guide dog in North America.

Davenport Pier Beach

Discover Davenport Pier Beach in Davenport, California: Here, visitors can swing with the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Veliki Buk Waterfall

Discover Veliki Buk Waterfall in Strmosten, Serbia: A hidden stream deep in the mountains creates one of the largest tufa waterfalls in Serbia.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Discover Japanese Covered Bridge in Thành phố Hội An, Vietnam: One of Vietnam's most iconic landmarks was built by Japanese merchants and is now in danger of sinking.

Monument to the Fallen of Dogali

Discover Monument to the Fallen of Dogali in Rome, Italy: An ancient Egyptian obelisk is now used to commemorate fallen Italian soldiers.

Carn Laith

Discover Carn Laith in Highland, Scotland: This rare surviving broch is one of Scotland's most impressive Bronze Age structures.

The College of Psychic Studies

Discover The College of Psychic Studies in London, England: This educational institution and reference library specialize in the psychic arts and mediumship.

St. Catherine’s Oratory

Discover St. Catherine's Oratory in Isle of Wight, England: This lighthouse was crafted as penitence for the theft of wine bound for a monastery.

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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