Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Traffic Control Tower

Discover Traffic Control Tower in Meriden, Connecticut: A human attendant once directed car traffic from this structure before automated stoplights.

Bengtskar Lighthouse

Discover Bengtskar Lighthouse in Rosala, Finland: The tallest lighthouse in the Nordic countries was also the site of a bloody World War II battle.

Monteverde Angel

Discover Monteverde Angel in Genoa, Italy: The "Mona Lisa" of funerary art.

The Whisperer

Discover The Whisperer in Antwerp, Belgium: This interactive sculpture allows visitors to leave a message in case a friend passes by.

Basilica of Agios Nikolaos

Discover Basilica of Agios Nikolaos in Nafplio, Greece: This church is dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers.

Raeapteek

Discover Raeapteek in Tallinn, Estonia: The oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe.

Zoological Roundels

Discover Zoological Roundels in Edinburgh, Scotland: These sculptures of various animals adorn the building that houses one of the capital's least known museums.

Vrabac Gočko

Discover Vrabac Gočko in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia: This statue became the mascot of Vrnjačka Banja after Games Without Borders made a stop in this town.

Carnforth Railway Station

Discover Carnforth Railway Station in Carnforth, England: Inside this station, the 1945 film "Brief Encounter" is played on a loop daily.

Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan

Discover Rinpoche Bagsha Datsan in Ulan-Ude, Russia: Located along Lysaya Mountain, this monastery is home to the largest statue of Buddha in Russia.

Yemas de San Leandro

Hidden behind a wall, Spanish nuns dole out their signature sweets on a revolving tray.

Meadow Hot Springs

Discover Meadow Hot Springs in Meadow, Utah: This set of three large, volcanic hot springs is a favorite haunt for intrepid divers.

Sky’s The Limit Observatory

Discover Sky's The Limit Observatory in Twentynine Palms, California: This outdoor observatory offers stellar views and a scale model of our solar system.

MinNature Malaysia

Discover MinNature Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: This museum explores iconic buildings and the cultural heritage of Malaysia in miniature form.

Moine House

Discover Moine House in Highland, Scotland: This ruined travelers shelter sits abandoned in a desolate bog of Flow Country.

Kathline Rock View Area

Discover Kathline Rock View Area in Hanksville, Utah: This roadside stop between Goblin Valley is the perfect location to view some of the region's natural wonders.

World’s Largest Elkhorn Arch

Discover World's Largest Elkhorn Arch in Afton, Wyoming: This town is home to the world’s largest arch constructed entirely of elk antlers.

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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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