Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Nickajack Cave

Discover Nickajack Cave in South Pittsburg, Tennessee: This large cave is a summer home to thousands of bats and has a rich history dating back to prehistoric times.

SamG Land

Discover SamG Land in Clarkesville, Georgia: A wonderland of folk art including the World’s Largest Grit. .

Willie MacRae Memorial

Discover Willie MacRae Memorial in Greenfield, Scotland: The solitary cairn marks a mysterious death that's still controversial more than two decades later.

Totem Pole

Discover Totem Pole in Fortescue, Australia: Many rock climbers have come to conquer this slender sea stack, with various degrees of success.

Cast Iron Cookware Man

Discover Cast Iron Cookware Man in South Pittsburg, Tennessee: The pan man stands as a testament to the functionality of American cast iron cookware.

The Big Apple

Discover The Big Apple in Colborne, Ontario: This giant roadside fruit is home to an array of apple-based treats.

Brouwerij’t IJ

Discover Brouwerij’t IJ in Amsterdam, Netherlands: This bird-loving brewery is situated in an old municipal bathhouse, nestled beside a 300-year-old windmill.

The Indian Head Statue

Discover The Indian Head Statue in Indian Head, Saskatchewan: Dedicated to the people of Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

Tiermes

Discover Tiermes in Montejo de Tiermes, Spain: The ruins of an ancient Celtiberian town with incredible rock-cut buildings and a Roman aqueduct.

National Gallery Sculpture Garden

Discover National Gallery Sculpture Garden in Canberra, Australia: Dozens of large-scale, creative, evocative curios from prominent artists dot the calm outdoor space around this major museum.

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant

Discover Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana: Parts of the civil rights movement unfolded in this historic eatery, helmed by the "Queen of Creole Cuisine.".

Mark IV World War I Tank

Discover Mark IV World War I Tank in Ashford, England: A rare example of this century-old British tank stands near the center of town in Ashford.

World’s Highest ATM

Discover World's Highest ATM in Pakistan: Just in case you need some cold cash at the top of the world.

The Attendant, Fitzrovia

Discover The Attendant, Fitzrovia in London, England: Drink your espresso at a Victorian-era urinal in this underground-restroom-turned-coffee-bar.

The Big Owl

Discover The Big Owl in Macquarie, Australia: This roadside attraction became locally famous for its unintentionally phallic shape.

Little Guilin

Discover Little Guilin in Singapore: A disused quarry turned lake in the middle of a residential district.

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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

PP ToS