Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Pula Arena

Discover Pula Arena in Pula, Croatia: One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is still used today, but for less brutal events.

The DAF Museum

Discover The DAF Museum in Eindhoven, Netherlands: Walk through the history of a Dutch truck manufacturer, from 1928 to today.

El Fortín de Acosasco

Discover El Fortín de Acosasco in León, Nicaragua: This hilltop fort is a dark holdover from one of Latin America's bloodiest dictatorships.

Italia Viaduct

Discover Italia Viaduct in Italy: Constructed during the 1960s, this bridge is still the highest in Italy.

502nd (Ulster) Squadron Mural

Discover 502nd (Ulster) Squadron Mural in Glynn, Northern Ireland: A painting to honor the oldest reserve squadron in the Royal Air Force.

Yokai Yashiki (Monster and Stone Museum)

Discover Yokai Yashiki (Monster and Stone Museum) in Miyoshi, Japan: Hidden by the road in the Iya Valley, this gem brings together the folk monsters and the region's unique geography.

Kymlingestenen

Discover Kymlingestenen in Stockholm, Sweden: A traveling Bronze Age sacrificial stone that was used to honor elves, fairies, and other woodland spirits.

Paralia Perissa

Discover Paralia Perissa in Perissa, Greece: This black sand beach was crafted from volcanic explosions including the historic Minoan eruption.

Weaving Shuttle Sculpture

Discover Weaving Shuttle Sculpture in Nelson, England: This giant weaving shuttle celebrates Lancashire's importance during the Industrial Revolution.

Glastonbury Tor

Discover Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, England: This hill and tower are steeped in legend, from King Arthur to the Holy Grail.

Yawata no Yabushirazu

Discover Yawata no Yabushirazu in Ichikawa, Japan: Nestled in an unassuming residential area, this "forbidden forest" is rumored to spirit away those who dare to enter.

Fort Nelson Heritage Museum

Discover Fort Nelson Heritage Museum in Fort Nelson, British Columbia: Home to vintage vehicles and local artifacts, this museum also houses a rare taxidermy specimen.

Limhamn Limestone Quarry

Discover Limhamn Limestone Quarry in Malmö, Sweden: This quarry filled with 65 million-year-old limestone is now home to a nature reserve.

Mito Daiich High School

Discover Mito Daiich High School in Mito, Japan: An old-fashioned school with interesting grounds and deep history, including the original Mito Castle gate.

Clydeside Expressway Mural Wall

Discover Clydeside Expressway Mural Wall in Glasgow, Scotland: Vibrant paintings stretch across 600 feet of derelict railway.

Sani Pass

Discover Sani Pass in Mkhomazi Wilderness area, South Africa: Brace yourself for the slowest, scariest, most spectacular drive, down the Drakensberg Escarpment.

Madama Lucrezia

Discover Madama Lucrezia in Rome, Italy: This statue is the only female representation of Rome's "talking statues.".

Gravesend

Discover Gravesend in Brooklyn, New York: Nearly four centuries after its founding, remnants of one of the oldest planned communities in North America are still visible in southern Brooklyn.

Through the Flower Art Space

Discover Through the Flower Art Space in Belen, New Mexico: A home base for Judy Chicago, one of America's leading radical feminist artists.

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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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