Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza

Discover Old Man of the Mountain Profiler Plaza in Franconia, New Hampshire: A serene plaza that commemorates one of the Granite State's most iconic figures.

The Tomb of Nefertari

Discover The Tomb of Nefertari in Luxor, Egypt: Known as the Sistine Chapel of Egypt, this tomb houses some of the most well-preserved paintings in Egypt.

Roque Cinchado

Discover Roque Cinchado in La Orotava, Spain: This unique rock formation is quite the local celebrity, although one day it may come crashing down.

Westfriedhof Station

Discover Westfriedhof Station in Munich, Germany: A subterranean display of public art and architecture.

This Big One

Discover This Big One in Kaukauna, Wisconsin: The remnants of this Douglas fir predate Columbus's arrival in North America.

Priapus of Hostafrancs

Discover Priapus of Hostafrancs in Barcelona, Spain: This generously endowed statue once stood guard outside a Roman home.

‘Beli Anđeo’ (‘White Angel’)

Discover ‘Beli Anđeo’ (‘White Angel’) in Mileševo, Serbia: After this medieval Serbian fresco was hidden for centuries, an image of it became one of the first to be sent into space.

Our Lady of La Difesa

Discover Our Lady of La Difesa in Montreal, Québec: This famous church is adorned by a mural commemorating the independence of Vatican City.

Ron del Barrilito

Discover Ron del Barrilito in Bayamón, Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico's oldest rum producer started its 140-year-old business with "a little barrel.".

Kurt Cobain Memorial Park

Discover Kurt Cobain Memorial Park in Aberdeen, Washington: A tribute to the Nirvana frontman hides beneath the bridge that was the singer's beloved hangout spot.

Universidad 1601

Discover Universidad 1601 in Mexico City, Mexico: Legend says the building's unusual features were added at the request of a paranoid president.

Souq Waqif

Discover Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar: Qatar's oldest market can trace its origins back more than a century.

Dabous Giraffes

Discover Dabous Giraffes in Niger: These ancient giraffes are the largest known animal petroglyphs in the world.

The Great American Dollhouse Museum

Discover The Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, Kentucky: This museum of miniature displays provides a journey through early American history.

Graycliff House

Discover Graycliff House in Derby, New York: This Frank Lloyd Wright summer house was designed along Lake Erie as a retreat for a client's wife.

The Sacred Tree of Auliyeagash

Discover Kieli Agash (Sacred Tree) of Auliyeagash in Auliyeagash, Kazakhstan: Local lore says this 700-year-old tree has sacred and medicinal properties.

Théâtre Royal de Toone

Discover Théâtre Royal de Toone in Brussels, Belgium: Drink among marionettes at this pub inside a historic puppet theater.

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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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