Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Planes@Plaza

Discover Planes@Plaza in Schiphol, Netherlands: This old KLM airplane cut into three parts was transformed into an eclectic airport gift shop.

Camp Peoria Civil War Marker

Discover Camp Peoria Civil War Marker in Peoria, Illinois: One of two identical monuments marking the sites of military training encampments in Peoria, Illinois.

Sugar Loaf

Discover Sugar Loaf in Winona, Minnesota: Dakota legend claims this locally iconic pinnacle was once part of a sacred burial site that was cleaved in two.

‘Celluloid’ Monument

Discover 'Celluloid' Monument in Beverly Hills, California: A tribute to the movie stars who fought to keep Beverly Hills separate from Los Angeles.

Bacon’s Castle

Discover Bacon’s Castle in Surry, Virginia: Rowdy rebels fortified this home during the first popular uprising in United States history.

Marie’s Crisis

Discover Marie's Crisis in New York, New York: Those belting out show tunes might not realize this piano bar marks the site where Thomas Paine died in 1809.

Planetarium Zuylenburg

Discover Planetarium Zuylenburg in Oud-Zuilen, Netherlands: This functional solar system model was inspired by the famous Eisinga Planetarium.

Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)

Discover Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay) in Metepec, Mexico: A collection of incredible clay crafts, complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids.

Turkey Point Lighthouse

Discover Turkey Point Lighthouse in North East, Maryland: This historic lighthouse was well known for the large number of women who served as its keeper.

Pre-Hispanic Mine of Taxco

Discover Pre-Hispanic Mine of Taxco in Taxco, Mexico: This centuries-old mine remained hidden beneath a hotel bar until 2013.

Supper Club Tube

Discover Supper Club Tube in London, England: A decommissioned tube carriage within a London museum hosts a regular pop-up supper club.

The Old Main Bell

Discover The Old Main Bell in Fort Collins, Colorado: After being lost for nearly a century, this historic bell finally returned home after its mysterious theft.

Winnekenni Castle

Discover Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill, Massachusetts: It was an experiment to prove that glacial boulders and rocks can be used in constructions and dwelling.

Jerry Lee Lewis Museum

Discover Jerry Lee Lewis Museum in Ferriday, Louisiana: The childhood home of Jerry Lee Lewis was converted into a museum dedicated to his musical legend.

Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery

Discover Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey: Filled with history, this cemetery is maintained each summer by a few hungry goats.

Hendrickson House Museum

Discover Hendrickson House Museum in Wilmington, Delaware: One of the oldest surviving Swedish-American homes in the United States.

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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

PP ToS