Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Cenote Ka’ Kutzal

In the Mayan language, Ka’ Kutzal, the name of this cenote, means “rebirth” or “back to life.” An appropriate name considering its history. The only Costco store in the city of Mérida (as of early 2023) sits between what is known as the city�…

Little Boy Zero

Discover Little Boy Zero in La Gloria, Mexico: Statue of Edgar Hernandez, the first victim of swine flu.

Las Playitas

Discover Las Playitas in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A miniature beach in the middle of the desert.

Zona Arqueológica Cempoala

Discover Zona Arqueológica Cempoala in Zempoala, Mexico: Palace, temple, and pyramid ruins mark the ancient Mesoamerican capital of Totonacapan.

Mexico Me Encanta! Miniature Museum

Discover Mexico Me Encanta! Miniature Museum in Tequisquiapan, Mexico: This detailed miniature model covers all aspects of life in a small Mexican village.

Cristo de las Galeras

Discover Cristo de las Galeras in Saltillo, Mexico: A giant Jesus statue watches over the city of Saltillo from the top of a mountain where it has been commandeered by vandals.

Jorullo Bridge

Discover Jorullo Bridge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: A 1542-foot-long suspension bridge offers scenic mountain views.

Poza Azul

Discover Poza Azul in Cuatrociénegas, Mexico: A spectrum of colors awaits visitors to one of Mexico's most gorgeous bodies of water.

Fairytale Graveyard

Discover Fairytale Graveyard in Seyé Municipality, Mexico: A field of whimsical floats, where all of your favorite childhood stories have been put out to pasture.

Cal y Maíz

Discover Cal y Maíz in Mexico City, Mexico: Shop for superb tortillas at this homage to the ancient art of nixtamalization.

Quiahuiztlán

Discover Quiahuiztlán in Miramar, Mexico: The site where the Spanish first landed in Mexico was once a thriving Mesoamerican city.

Librería CONARTE

Discover Librería CONARTE in Monterrey, Mexico: A honeycomb-like structure of interlocking shelves creates a beehive of books.

Waldemar Julsrud Museum

Discover Waldemar Julsrud Museum in Acámbaro, Mexico: This small museum holds a treasure trove of ceramic figures that are either a hoax or proof of dragons, aliens, and dinosaur riders.

La Vasconia

Discover La Vasconia in Mexico City, Mexico: Founded by a Basque immigrant, Mexico City's oldest bakery has a history dating back to 1870.

Ángela Peralta Theater

Discover Ángela Peralta Theater in Mazatlán, Mexico: This restored opera house is named after a soprano known for tragic romance, exile, and a truly uncomfortable wedding.

Cablebús Line 1

Discover Cablebús Line 1 in Mexico City, Mexico: This scenic cable car ride glides 100 feet above Mexico City.

La Joya Honda Crater

Discover La Joya Honda in Barranca, Mexico: Legend has it thieves once stashed their treasures in this crater in the Mexican desert.

Statue of José Maria Morelos

Discover Statue of José Maria Morelos in Janitzio, Mexico: Climb through the life of a Mexican hero as you ascend a 130-foot statue.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 260 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. 474 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. 499 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. 633 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. 135 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. 167 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). 252 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 148 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. 96 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. 166

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