Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Dark Sky Project

Discover Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand: Home to some of the world’s darkest skies, this project blends ancient Māori culture with world-class astro tourism.

Batería del Ángel San Rafael

Discover Batería del Ángel San Rafael in Isla de Tierra Bomba, Colombia: An 18th-century battery complete with original kitchen and garrison.

Seton Collegiate Church

Discover Seton Collegiate Church in Seton Mains, Scotland: The ruins of a 15th-century church once home to priests who prayed for a single family's salvation.

Museum Tot Zover

Discover Museum Tot Zover in Amsterdam, Netherlands: This museum inside Amsterdam's largest cemetery explores how people deal with death.

Temple of San Nicolás Tolentino

Discover Temple of San Nicolás Tolentino in Tlaxiaco, Mexico: After a partial collapse in the 1950s, this small church's historic facade lives on.

‘Johann’

Discover 'Johann' in Cushendun, Northern Ireland: A memorial to a goat culled during a foot and mouth disease outbreak guards a series of fantastical caves.

Soap Lake

Discover Soap Lake in Soap Lake, Washington: People come from across the globe to swim in this lake believed to have healing properties.

Conference House

Discover Conference House in Staten Island, New York: During the American Revolution, this mansion hosted failed peace talks between the British and Americans.

Endicott History and Heritage Center

Discover Endicott History and Heritage Center in Endicott, New York: A collection of artifacts from two worldwide industries that called Endicott, NY home.

The Little Tunnel

Discover The Little Tunnel in Westmoreland, Tennessee: This tiny 19th-century tunnel was built so a man could move his cows from one field to another.

Alykes Salt Flats

Discover Alykes Salt Flats in Katastari, Greece: These abandoned salt flats are now a haven for wildlife.

Metro Auditorio

Discover Metro Auditorio in Mexico City, Mexico: This Mexico City subway station will make you feel like you've been transported to the London Underground.

Devil’s Kitchen

Discover Devil's Kitchen in Payson, Utah: A dazzling display of red rocks weathered into spires and hoodoos.

The Kilsdonk Mill

Discover The Kilsdonk Mill in Heeswijk Dinther, Netherlands: A rare double mill nestled along the banks of the Aa river.

Hexenmuseum Schweiz

Discover Hexenmuseum Schweiz in Gränichen, Switzerland: The excellent Swiss museum of witchcraft is led by a modern witch.

Gray Seals of Donna Nook

Discover Gray Seals of Donna Nook in Donna Nook, England: The adorable animals return to this nature reserve every fall to give birth to their pups.

The Brickyard

Discover The Brickyard in Chilmark, Massachusetts: A red brick monolith is all that remains of New England’s first commercial brickyard.

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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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