Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Parallel Forest

Discover Parallel Forest in Lawton, Oklahoma: A peculiar forest that was handcrafted for government experiments.

Dome Cinema

Discover Dome Cinema in Worthing, England: It was once the longest continuously running cinema in the United Kingdom.

Grand Central Air Terminal Museum

Discover Grand Central Air Terminal Museum in Glendale, California: This historic aviation building is now a museum owned and operated by Disney.

Palacio del Obispado (Bishopric Palace)

Discover Palacio del Obispado (Bishopric Palace) in Monterrey, Mexico: One of Monterrey's oldest buildings is perched atop a hill boasting impressive views of the city.

Cafe Lota

Discover Cafe Lota in New Delhi, India: Nestled among the artifacts of the National Crafts Museum, this hidden gem offers hard-to-find regional foods from all over India.

D.T. Sheridan Shipwreck

Discover D.T. Sheridan Shipwreck in Monhegan, Maine: The steel hull of a wrecked tug rests on Lobster Cove on Monhegan Island’s rocky southeastern shore.

Krishna’s Kitchen

Discover Krishna's Kitchen in Singapore: Little India's hidden gem of kindness and good food.

Brooks Range Supply

Discover Brooks Range Supply in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska: This general store is a one-stop-shop for workers at the Prudhoe Bay oil field.

Al Thakira Mangroves Forest

Discover Al Thakira Mangroves Forest in Qatar: A mesmerizing wonderland of salt-encrusted tree branches and pencil roots.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Discover Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida: This railroad and oil tycoon's lavish estate now stands as a time capsule of the Gilded Age.

Toronto Music Garden

Discover Toronto Music Garden in Toronto, Ontario: This urban oasis is a marvelous meld of music and landscape architecture.

Geyser Park

Discover Geyser Park in Soda Springs, Idaho: Home to a timed geyser created by complete accident.

Jebel Hafeet Beehive Tombs

Discover Jebel Hafeet Beehive Tombs in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: The cluster of igloo-like domes forms the remains of an ancient burial ground.

Venice Cafe

Discover Venice Cafe in St. Louis, Missouri: This mosaic-covered bar is brimming with curated curios.

Lego Extremely Large Telescope

Discover Lego Extremely Large Telescope in Garching bei München, Germany: A miniature model of what will be the world's largest telescope.

Fort Hermann

Discover Fort Hermann in Bovec, Slovenia: A crumbling World War I fort that is reached through a series of concrete tunnels.

Talcott Basalt Lava Pillows

Discover Talcott Basalt Lava Pillows in Meriden, Connecticut: Hidden behind a Target are pillows of cooled lava that formed at the bottom of a deep lake in the Mesozoic Era.

Tantolunden Flak Position

Discover Tantolunden Flak Position in Stockholm, Sweden: Tucked away in a downtown Stockholm park are the remains of a World War II defense position.

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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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