Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Staff Sgt. Reckless Monument

Discover Staff Sgt. Reckless Monument in Triangle, Virginia: A memorial dedicated to a highly decorated Marine and Korean War veteran, who also happened to be a horse.

Ethnographic Museum of Krujë

Discover Ethnographic Museum of Krujë in Krujë, Albania: Explore a traditional Albanian dwelling that pays tribute to the region's rich history.

The Blaxhall Stone

Discover The Blaxhall Stone in Blaxhall, England: Blaxhall's burgeoning boulder can't help putting on a few extra stones.

Monumento ad Ayrton Senna

Discover Monumento ad Ayrton Senna in Imola, Italy: Everyday, fans from across the globe visit the statue of one of the greatest Formula One drivers in history.

Haneda Ōtorii

Discover Haneda Ōtorii in Ota City, Japan: A cursed torii gate still stands on the edge of Haneda Airport, decades after its shrine's relocation.

The Roman Baths of Toledo

Discover The Roman Baths of Toledo in Toledo, Spain: The fragmented remains of a massive public bath connected to the city's water supply.

Rocca di Piediluco

Discover Rocca di Piediluco in Piediluco, Italy: The ruins of this medieval castle overlook the lake of Piediluco in what was once a sacred forest.

The Well of the Miracle

Discover The Well of the Miracle in Madrid, Spain: An old, deep well, connected with a miraculous, divine rescue and the patron saint of Madrid.

Saugatuck Chain Ferry

Discover Saugatuck Chain Ferry in Saugatuck, Michigan: This is the last hand-cranked chain ferry of its kind in operation in the United States.

Laugh-O-Gram Studio

Discover Laugh-O-Gram Studio in Kansas City, Missouri: This Kansas City studio was home to Walt Disney's first animation business.

Seurat at Saugatuck

Discover Seurat at Saugatuck in Saugatuck, Michigan: In this quiet park a rendition of a classic painting graces the outside of a charming restroom.

Garret Hostel Bridge

Discover Garret Hostel Bridge in Cambridge, England: Named after a lodging site that existed nearby, a bridge has existed at this location since 1455.

Wulff Castle

Discover Wulff Castle in Viña del Mar, Chile: A whimsical European-style chateau that calls the coast of Chile home.

Ayrton Senna Mural

Discover Ayrton Senna Mural in Imola, Italy: Famous Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra painted this mural on the Museo Checco Costa to honor the legendary driver.

Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau

Discover Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau in Bologna, Italy: A masterpiece of modern architecture that caused quite a stir in Paris, recreated in Bologna half a century later.

Isle of Farquhar

Discover Isle of Farquhar in Roche Caiman, Seychelles: A schooner, nicknamed "The Unsinkable," with a long history of survival in the Indian Ocean.

Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park

Discover Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario: Accessible only by train, the beauty of Agawa Canyon Wilderness Park is worth the journey.

ROCC Mars Yard

Discover ROCC Mars Yard in Turin, Italy: Europe's simulation of the Martian surface uses soil from Mount Vesuvius.

Ricetto of Candelo

Discover Ricetto of Candelo in Candelo, Italy: A perfectly preserved example of a fortified Medieval ricetto.

Varoško Groblje

Discover Varoško Groblje in Kragujevac, Serbia: Zastava automobile sculptures and images grace various gravestones in this cemetery.

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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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