Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Hearthstone Castle

Discover Hearthstone Castle in Danbury, Connecticut: A castle inspired by medieval architecture is hidden in the woods of Connecticut.

O’Malley’s Pub

Discover O'Malley's Pub in Weston, Missouri: The oldest bar in Missouri is hidden within a limestone brewery cellar more than 50 feet underground.

Prinzessinnengarten

Discover Prinzessinnengarten in Berlin, Germany: Berliners converted a bombed-out, disused lot into a community-run urban farm with its own cafe and bar.

‘The Black Ghost’

Discover Juodasis Vaiduoklis (The Black Ghost) in Klaipėda, Lithuania: A creepy statue of a hooded ghost hauls itself up from the water in a historic Lithuanian city.

Woodside Presbyterian Church

Discover Woodside Presbyterian Church in Troy, New York: A man used his Civil War-era fortune to build this sanctuary in memory of his wife.

Cycling Through Water

Discover Cycling Through Water in Genk, Belgium: This bike path was sunk below water level for maximum wonder.

Cannongate Kirkyard

Discover Cannongate Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland: This Scottish graveyard is the final resting place of the man who inspired the character Ebenezer Scrooge.

Teaching School of Guanajuato

Discover Teaching School of Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico: One of the city's most imposing Neoclassical buildings is also one of its most prestigious schools.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Discover Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland, Oregon: Nestled between a college and a golf course, the garden is home to over 2,500 rhododendrons.

Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden

Discover Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden in Papaikou, Hawaii: More than 2,000 species of tropical plants call this nature preserve and sanctuary home.

The Gilwell Oak

Discover The Gilwell Oak in Essex, England: The history of this famed tree ranges from an 18th-century highway robber, to the Scout Association.

Whimsical Metal Sculptures on Palms

Discover Whimsical Metal Sculptures on Palms in Los Angeles, California: Perched high atop telephone poles is an uncanny outdoor art gallery that greets passersby on their commute.

Garneau Theatre

Discover Garneau Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta: This is one of the last remaining theatres in Canada to feature an Art Moderne architectural style.

Heartbreak Hotel

Discover Heartbreak Hotel in Kenansville, Florida: It's believed Elvis Presley was inspired to write his breakthrough track after staying here.

The Big Worm

Discover The Big Worm in Brasília, Brazil: This kilometer-long university building is an unexpected architectural delight.

Barrio de Guadalupe Street Art

Discover Barrio de Guadalupe Street Art in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: Colonial architecture meets urban art in this sprawling open-air gallery.

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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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