Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Zharkent Mosque

Discover Zharkent Mosque in Zharkent, Kazakhstan: This unique wooden mosque resembling a Chinese pagoda was said to be built without the use of nails.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

Discover Thomas Wolfe Memorial in Asheville, North Carolina: An early life spent in this "Old Kentucky Home" inspired the writings of North Carolina's most famous novelist.

‘Brunswick Street’

Discover 'Brunswick Street' in Fortitude Valley, Australia: The artist behind this historical depiction of transportation remains a mystery.

Belmaco Cave

Discover Belmaco Cave in La Palma, Spain: This cave was the former seat of power for two brothers who ruled together as kings.

SS Clyde Valley Memorial

Discover SS Clyde Valley Memorial in Larne, Northern Ireland: A tribute to a vessel involved in the notorious Larne gun-running.

Nisshodo Candy Store

Discover Nisshodo Candy Store in Honolulu, Hawaii: This mom-and-pop Japanese sweets shop has been serving cloud-light mochi for almost a century.

Eltham Toy Wall

Discover Eltham Toy Wall in Eltham, New Zealand: What began as a makeshift lost and found, now exists as a unique art installation.

Taman Eko Rimba Kanching Waterfalls

Discover Taman Eko Rimba Kanching Waterfalls in Rawang, Malaysia: Not far from the bustle of Kuala Lumpur is an amazing waterfall that navigates seven vertical drops.

Rendsburg High Bridge

Discover Rendsburg High Bridge in Rendsburg, Germany: One of the last remaining railway viaducts equipped with a transporter ferry.

Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs

Discover Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs in Searchlight, Nevada: Thousands of glyphs created by an unknown culture decorate the rock formations of this canyon.

Sentir de la Petite Cascade de Farino

Discover Sentir de la Petite Cascade de Farino in Farino, New Caledonia: This peaceful path through the jungle is surrounded by songbirds and complete with a waterfall.

Nisshondo Candy Store

Discover Nisshondo Candy Store in Honolulu, Hawai?i: This mom-and-pop Japanese sweets shop has been serving cloud-light mochi for almost a century.

National Center for the Arts (CENART)

Discover National Center for the Arts (CENART) in Mexico City, Mexico: This architectural wonder of Mexico City houses several art schools and national research centers.

‘Tuttomondo’

Discover 'Tuttomondo' in Pisa, Italy: A local student's chance encounter with Keith Haring led to the creation of one of Europe's largest murals.

Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram

Discover Wat Lao Buddha Phothisaram in Conley, Georgia: An ornate Buddhist temple located in an Atlanta suburb, built by and for the Laotian community.

Unihase

Discover Unihase in Stuttgart, Germany: Inside this discotheque resides a unique memorial dedicated to one club-goers favorite pet.

Torre Astura

Discover Torre Astura in Astura, Italy: A medieval stronghold rising over the ruins of ancient Roman villas along Rome's southern coast.

The Blue Plaque of Mrs Blunden

Discover The Blue Plaque of Mrs Blunden in Basingstoke, England: This plaque remembers a grave mistake that led to one local woman being buried alive.

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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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