Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Videodrome

Discover Videodrome in Atlanta, Georgia: This old school, eccentric, and independent video rental store refuses to die.

South Iceland’s Bra Fence

Discover South Iceland's Bra Fence in Reykjavík, Iceland: Along this wire fence, travelers have been leaving a particular memento since 2012.

Dambusters Memorial

Discover Dambusters Memorial in Woodhall, England: This memorial pays homage to the Royal Air Force squadron that breached two important dams during World War II.

Matryoshka Square (Russian Taowa Square)

Discover Matryoshka Square (Russian Taowa Square) in Hulun Buir, China: Hundreds of large Russian nesting dolls decorate this square, and the largest is a functioning hotel.

Monument to the Unknown Hero

Discover Monument to the Unknown Hero in Beli Potok, Serbia: Near Belgrade, an ancient-looking sarcophagus serves as a World War I monument.

Expreso Virgen de Guadalupe

Discover Expreso Virgen de Guadalupe in Lima, Peru: This antique rail car has been reborn as an urban cafe.

Chamber of Secrets Door

Discover Chamber of Secrets Door in San Francisco, California: This residential door allows San Francisco muggles a glimpse at the wizarding world.

Casilda Aguas Regionales

Discover Casilda Aguas Regionales in Oaxaca, Mexico: In a busy Oaxaca market, a nearly century-old drinks stand still serves family recipes from giant clay pots.

Los Pilones

Discover Los Pilones in Cabezuela del Valle, Spain: Blue-green pools and smooth stones comprise one of Spain’s most idyllic hidden wonders.

Loyasse Cemetery

Discover Loyasse Cemetery in Lyon, France: The first modern cemetery of Lyon is complete with more than 200 chapels and monuments.

The Mermaid Inn

Discover The Mermaid Inn in Rye, England: This centuries-old hotel hides a network of secret cellars and passages once used by smugglers.

Boston Irish Famine Memorial

Discover Boston Irish Famine Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts: Dedicated to one of the darkest moments in Irish history, this memorial has faced its fair share of backlash.

New Bedford Fire Museum

Discover New Bedford Fire Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts: This museum dedicated to local history is housed in the state's oldest surviving fire station.

Brederode Castle

Discover Brederode Castle in Santpoort-Zuid, Netherlands: The ruins of a medieval castle that once belonged to one of the most powerful families in the Netherlands.

Qumran National Park

Discover Qumran National Park in Israel: The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the ruins of this ancient monastic community.

La Planta (Power Plant)

Discover La Planta (Power Plant) in San Agustín Etla, Mexico: Pause in an abandoned hydroelectric station, now overrun with wildlife, to consider a thought-provoking poem.

‘Guerrero Chimalli’

Discover 'Guerrero Chimalli' in Chimalhuacán, Mexico: This controversial, abstract sculpture is meant to represent an Aztec warrior.

Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives

Discover Greater Manchester Police Museum & Archives in Manchester, England: This 19th century police station now puts the history of the Manchester City Police on display.

Celles

Discover Celles in Celles, France: Half a century after it was abandoned, this ghost town is coming back to life.

Hambach Surface Mine

Discover Hambach Surface Mine in Elsdorf, Germany: This mine is home to the largest man-made hole in Europe.

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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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