Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Clava Cairns

Discover Clava Cairns in Inverness, Scotland: This site contains overlapping ancient graveyards that existed about 1,000 years apart.

Old Abe

Discover Old Abe in Madison, Wisconsin: A renowned Civil War veteran, this Bald eagle now presides over the Wisconsin State Assembly.

The Gravesite of Robert Ford

Discover The Gravesite of Robert Ford in Creede, Colorado: The temporary burial site of the man who shot and killed Jesse James.

Kelly Ghost Town

Discover Kelly Ghost Town in Magdalena, New Mexico: The ruins of this former mining boomtown once housed over 3,000 people. Now, the population is two.

Tarpeian Rock

Discover Tarpeian Rock in Rome, Italy: In the early Roman Empire, people deemed traitors and criminals were tossed to their deaths from this rock.

Carraig Fhada Lighthouse

Discover Carraig Fhada Lighthouse in Isle of Islay, Scotland: An unusually shaped lighthouse with origins rooted in heartbreak.

Orinoro Gorge

Discover Orinoro Gorge in Leppävirta, Finland: Hidden deep in a forest is this geological wonder carved by glaciers.

Deildartunguhver

Discover Deildartunguhver in Deildartunguhver, Iceland: Europe’s most powerful hot spring supplies the surrounding region with hot water.

Knockagh Monument

Discover Knockagh Monument in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: High on a hill, an obelisk stands as tribute to local soldiers from several wars.

Wallyford ‘Miner’s Stone’

Discover Wallyford 'Miner's Stone' in Wallyford, Scotland: This carved memorial is dedicated to the miners who died working in the town's collieries.

House of Tan Teng Niah

Discover House of Tan Teng Niah in Singapore: This house is one of the most colorful in the country, and is the last remaining example of a historic villa.

Devil’s Well

Discover Pozzo del Diavolo (Devil's Well) in Caprarola, Italy: Was this cave created by Hercules's wrath, the devil, or volcanic activity?

Ponte di Cecco

Discover Ponte di Cecco in Ascoli Piceno, Italy: According to a local legend, this bridge was constructed by an astrologer with the help of the devil.

The Sign Above the Tunnel

Discover The Sign Above the Tunnel in Knoxville, Maryland: This advertisement for talcum powder was painted on the rock face and has since defied removal.

Flatey Island

Discover Flatey Island in Flatey, Iceland: Once the site of a 12-century monastery, this tiny island is now home to only five permanent residents.

Patsy Ann Statue

Discover Patsy Ann Statue in Juneau, Alaska: Known as the “Official Greeter of Juneau,” this dog still welcomes ships and their passengers to Alaska.

Bramble Bank Cricket Pitch

Discover Bramble Bank Cricket Pitch in The Solent, England: Once a year, a sandbar rises from the depths just in time for the world's weirdest match.

Salt Street Watchmaker

Discover Salt Street Watchmaker in Madrid, Spain: An automaton perched above an classic clock and watch store.

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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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