Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Museum Uranbergbau

Discover Museum Uranbergbau in Bad Schlema, Germany: Learn the incredible story of how an unassuming spa town was transformed into one of the world’s largest uranium mining sites.

Cafe at Your Mother-in-Law

Discover Cafe at Your Mother-in-Law in Brooklyn, New York: A ruthless Soviet relocation campaign birthed a new cuisine, and this humble restaurant.

The Old Rock House

Discover The Old Rock House in Thomson, Georgia: Built in 1785, this residence is the oldest stone house in Georgia.

Via Sacra

Discover Via Sacra in Rocca di Papa, Italy: This ancient trail climbs the mountain where a Latin League cult worshipped Jupiter, its main deity.

Lanyon Quoit

Discover Lanyon Quoit in Cornwall, England: A neolithic dolmen that was rebuilt after collapsing during the 19th century.

Bunsen

Discover Bunsen in Christchurch, New Zealand: Enjoy coffee and cake while viewing antique medical equipment at this unique cafe.

Stelvio Pass

Discover Stelvio Pass in Stelvio, Italy: One of the highest mountain passes in Europe has been ranked among the best driving roads in the world.

Frontier Culture Museum

Discover Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia: Outdoor exhibits explore the contributions of European, African, and indigenous peoples to American frontier culture.

Camel Rock

Discover Camel Rock in Santa Fe, New Mexico: A natural formation that resembles a camel resting in the New Mexico desert.

Durand Union Station

Discover Durand Union Station in Durand, Michigan: A restored 114-year-old railroad station heralded as the most photographed depot in the United States.

Mathematical Bridge

Discover Mathematical Bridge in Cambridge, England: Local legend says Isaac Newton built this footbridge without any screws, bolts, or nails.

Fort de la Conchée

Discover Fort de la Conchée in Saint-Malo, France: A unique military outpost carved into a rocky outcrop in the English Channel.

Capulin Volcano

Discover Capulin Volcano in Des Moines, New Mexico: This volcano rises like a giant anthill from the plains below, with a road spiraling up to the rim.

Wall Poems of Charlotte

Discover Wall Poems of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina: Colorful murals stationed throughout Charlotte bring poetry to everyone.

Fishery Watchtower Museum

Discover Fishery Watchtower Museum in Galway City, Ireland: Originally built to monitor fishing, this Victorian tower now educates visitors about the local salmon industry.

Bell’s Tavern Ruins

Discover Bell's Tavern Ruins in Park City, Kentucky: A former 19th-century tavern, famous for its peach brandy and honey concoction.

Cineteca Nacional de Mexico

Discover Cineteca Nacional de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico: Its incredible collections are dedicated to preserving Mexico's film history.

Eston Hemings’s Grave

Discover Eston Hemings's Grave in Madison, Wisconsin: The final resting place of one of Thomas Jefferson's formerly enslaved sons.

The Red Lion

Discover The Red Lion in Avebury, England: The only pub in the world surrounded by an ancient stone circle.

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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