Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Richfield Tower’s Art Deco Doors

Discover Richfield Tower's Art Deco Doors in Los Angeles, California: Though the original building has been demolished, these massive bronze doors were saved.

Computer Museum of America

Discover Computer Museum of America in Roswell, Georgia: A vast collection of rare, historical, and vintage supercomputers.

The Leaning Lighthouse

Discover The Leaning Lighthouse in Puerto Morelos, Mexico: Still standing despite its considerable slant, this tilted lighthouse has become a local symbol of resilience.

Rocca Sinibalda Castle

Discover Rocca Sinibalda Castle in Rocca Sinibalda, Italy: This unusually shaped fortress houses a blend of centuries-old frescoes and modern art.

TWA-United Grand Canyon Collision Mass Grave

Discover TWA-United Grand Canyon Collision Mass Grave in Flagstaff, Arizona: A mass grave for victims of an airline disaster that led to much-needed safety improvements for commercial flights.

Cenote Xlacah

Discover Cenote Xlacah in Mérida, Mexico: One of the few places where you can take a dip and look at Maya ruins at the same time.

Vologda Butter Museum

Discover Vologda Butter Museum in Semenkovo, Russia: Slather on the history at an exhibition dedicated to this Russian luxury.

Valkea Mall Floor Clock

Discover Valkea Mall Floor Clock in Oulu, Finland: An incredibly durable timepiece glows beneath shoppers' feet.

Donor Memorial

Discover Donor Memorial in Birmingham, Alabama: This little-known memorial honors those who have donated their bodies to medical training.

Alebrijes of San Martín Tilcajete

Discover Alebrijes of San Martín Tilcajete in San Martín Tilcajete, Mexico: This Oaxacan town is known for its colorful fantastical creatures hand-carved by local artisans.

The Devil of Oslo

Discover The Devil of Oslo in Oslo, Norway: In downtown Oslo, a menacing and terrifying relief clings to a church wall.

Shallon Winery

Discover Shallon Winery in Astoria, Oregon: This solo operation offers the world's only whey wines in flavors such as chocolate-orange.

Northern Ireland Police Museum

Discover Northern Ireland Police Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland: This hidden museum examines the complex history of the country's law enforcement.

Strom Party Animal

Discover Strom Party Animal in Washington, D.C.: A public art jibe at one of the United States’ oldest and longest-serving senators.

Villa Luz Waterfalls

Discover Villa Luz Waterfalls in Tapijulapa, Mexico: Trek through the jungle on a boat and a swinging bridge and you'll be rewarded with these refreshing, if pungent, mineral pools.

Plaza of the Lebanese Migrant

Discover Plaza of the Lebanese Migrant in Veracruz, Mexico: A coastal monument honors one of Mexico's most notable immigrant groups.

Smitty’s Super Service Station

Discover Smitty's Super Service Station in Sandy Hook, Mississippi: One of the few existing, fully functional Showbiz Pizza animatronic shows.

Helu’s Productos Árabes

Discover Helu's Productos Árabes in Mexico City, Mexico: This tiny, tucked-away eatery reflects the history of Mexico's Lebanese immigrants.

Osokorky Metro Station

Discover Osokorky Metro Station in Kyiv, Ukraine: This underground transport hub doubles as an art gallery.

Menu

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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