Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey

Discover Statue of Jack the Pardoned Turkey in Hartford, Connecticut: This sculpture commemorates the first instance of an American president pardoning a turkey.

Hodota Tombs

Discover Hodota Tombs in Takasaki, Japan: A trio of keyhole-shaped burial mounds has been restored to its ancient state.

Litlington White Horse

Discover Litlington White Horse in East Sussex, England: This mysterious chalk figure of a horse has been recreated and restored for more than a century.

Romito Cave

Discover Romito Cave in Papasidero, Italy: A mountain cave is the site of archaeological findings and Paleolithic rock art.

Cedergrenska Tower

Discover Cedergrenska Tower in Stockholm, Sweden: Despite dreams of constructing this fairytale mansion, Albert Gotthard Nestor Cedergren never saw its completion.

Fujairah Fort

Discover Fujairah Fort in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates's biggest and oldest fort pays homage to a lost era.

Nike Missile Site HA-26

Discover Nike Missile Site HA-26 in Glastonbury, Connecticut: Inside a state forest, the forgotten remains of a Cold War defensive installation.

Berlin Wall in Singapore

Discover Berlin Wall in Singapore in Singapore: Two panes of the massive Cold War artifact are on display at the National University of Singapore.

Tehachapi Loop

Discover Tehachapi Loop in Tehachapi, California: Where a railroad loops under or over itself to rise or drop more than 70 feet in a short distance.

Kelmscott Manor

Discover Kelmscott Manor in Kelmscott, England: The country home of world-famous designer, writer, and artist extraordinaire, William Morris.

Carrickfergus Radar Tower

Discover Carrickfergus Radar Tower in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland: An abandoned shipping control tower looks like a satellite perched at the end of a pier.

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.

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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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