Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Lečtarski Museum

Discover Lečtarski Museum in Radovljica, Slovenia: Nibble as you learn about Slovenia's longstanding tradition of making beautiful honey cookies.

Laura Smith Haviland Statue

Discover Laura Smith Haviland Statue in Adrian, Michigan: This life-sized effigy commemorates the dedicated abolitionist and social reformer.

Alice’s Shop

Discover Alice's Shop in Oxford, England: The shop where the girl who inspired the beloved character once bought sweets is now a book-themed commercial curiosity.

Arch of Marcus Aurelius

Discover Arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tarabulus, Libya: This triumphal arch is the only fully standing structure that remains from Roman-era Oea.

Russian and Turkish Baths Cafe

Discover Russian and Turkish Baths Cafe in New York, New York: Have a steam and some blini at this cafe in a century-old bathhouse.

Troje Murals of Angahuan

Discover Troje Murals of Angahuan in Angahuan, Mexico: Artwork celebrates the local culture in the region around the world’s youngest volcano.

Krupaj Spring

Discover Krupaj Spring in Milanovac, Serbia: Legends of treasure and spirits flow from this this fairy tale-like oasis.

Verde Valley Archaeology Center

Discover Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde, Arizona: This comprehensive collection features Native American artifacts dating back centuries.

Emperor Norton Plaque

Discover Emperor Norton Plaque in South San Francisco, California: A bronze tribute to a legendary Californian, the self-proclaimed "Emperor of the United States.".

Lucille Ball Memorial Park

Discover Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Jamestown, New York: Its original statue was deemed so ugly, locals called it “Scary Lucy.”.

Gs 13 Runestone

Discover Gs 13 Runestone in Gävle, Sweden: A Viking man's tribute to his brother stands in Gävle's oldest church.

Presa de San Renovato

Discover Presa de San Renovato in Guanajuato, Mexico: This highly decorated dam is one of Guanajuato's most unexpectedly beautiful public works.

Wishing Tree

Discover Wishing Tree in Portland, Oregon: Instead of fruit, the branches of this tree are brimming with hopes and dreams.

Candy Cane Mountains

Discover Candy Cane Mountains in Siyazan, Azerbaijan: Swirling layers of white and red rock earned these mountains their festive nickname.

Mural City Xicotepec

Discover Ciudad Mural Xicotepec (Mural City Xicotepec) in Xicotepec de Juárez, Mexico: The colorful array of art leads to a small Aztec pyramid.

Dutch Cottage

Discover Dutch Cottage in Essex, England: This octagonal cottage is the smallest and the oldest council house in the United Kingdom.

Grave of W. B. Yeats

Discover Grave of W. B. Yeats in Drumcliffe, Ireland: This cemetery overlooking the Benbulben rock formation is the final resting place of one of Ireland's most beloved poets.

Battle of Picacho Pass Monument

Discover Battle of Picacho Pass Monument in Picacho, Arizona: A stone pillar marking the location of the westernmost battle of the American Civil War only honors one side of the conflict.

Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site

Discover Beattie Park Mound Group Historic Site in Rockford, Illinois: This unassuming city park is home to three different types of Native American mounds.

Stanford Red Barn

Discover Stanford Red Barn in Stanford, California: The world’s first stop-motion film was created on the racetrack outside this building.

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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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