Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Ribblehead Viaduct

Discover Ribblehead Viaduct in Chapel-le-Dale, England: This incredible viaduct was part of the Victorian railway boom and helped the Midland Railway navigate tough terrain.

Tierradentro National Archaeological Park

Discover Tierradentro National Archaeological Park in Inzá, Colombia: This collection of ancient, mountaintop, underground tombs was once hidden by decades of bloodshed.

Nelson’s on Rush River

Discover Nelson's on Rush River in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin: Every winter, dozens of otherworldly ice structures sprout up from a rigged up artesian well.

The Troubadour

Discover The Troubadour in London, England: A 1950s beatnik coffee house, turned 60s counterculture hotspot, turned modern music venue.

Ehrenfesthuis (Ehrenfest House)

Discover Ehrenfesthuis (Ehrenfest House) in Leiden, Netherlands: The house of physicists Paul Ehrenfest was also a temporary dwelling and study for his good friend Albert Einstein.

The Scout Stone

Discover The Scout Stone in Dorset, England: This commemorative stone was erected near the first Scout campsite.

Lord Kira’s Residence

Discover Lord Kira's Residence in Tokyo, Japan: The remains of the vast manor that once belonged to Lord Kira, villain in the 47 Ronin story, is now a shrine dedicated to the incident.

La voie de la Liberté Markers

Discover La voie de la Liberté Markers in Sainte-Mère-Église, France: These unique markers designate the route American forces took during the Liberation of France.

Chef Point Bar & Restaurant

Discover Chef Point Bar & Restaurant in Watauga, Texas: High-end dining has a home in this former gas station.

Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

Discover Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute, Kansas: This museum houses artifacts from American adventurers and flimakers Martin and Osa Johnson.

Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge

Discover Gilbert’s Bar House of Refuge in Stuart, Florida: In a time before lifeguards, this house was a sanctuary for the shipwrecked.

The Asahi Flame

Discover The Asahi Flame in Tokyo, Japan: This enormous monument is one of the most iconic structures in Tokyo, rudely nicknamed "The Golden Turd.".

Porto di Ripetta

Discover Porto di Ripetta in Rome, Italy: An 18th century fountain and two columns are all that remains of Rome's forgotten river harbor.

Big Top Curiosity Shop

Discover Big Top Curiosity Shop in Seattle, Washington: Inside this curiosity shop, visitors can peruse the clown collection or purchase a molar from the mouth of Bigfoot.

World’s Largest Greek Flag

Discover World's Largest Greek Flag in Keri, Greece: Flying high over the small island of Zákynthos is a giant tribute to the mainland.

Fletchers Espace Culinaire

Discover Fletchers Espace Culinaire in Montreal, Québec: The Jewish diaspora shares a menu at this museum café.

Macquarie Island

Discover Macquarie Island in Australia: One of the only places where Earth’s mantle lies above water.

Palace Green Library

Discover Palace Green Library in Durham, England: This library dates back to the late 17th century and was one of the first public lending libraries in England.

Hambye Abbey

Discover Hambye Abbey in Hambye, France: This 12th century, partially destroyed, abbey has had several owners and was seized during the French Revolution.

Weta Cave

Discover Weta Cave in Wellington, New Zealand: Inside this faux cave, visitors can learn how some of their favorite fantasy characters were created.

Menu

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

PP ToS