Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Thingbæk Kalkminer

Discover Thingbæk Kalkminer in Skørping, Denmark: An old limestone mine transformed into a beautiful and unusual sculpture museum.

Castle of Gormaz

Discover Castle of Gormaz in Gormaz, Spain: This Arab fortress was once the largest citadel in Western Europe.

Guánica Lighthouse Ruins

Discover Guánica Lighthouse Ruins in Guánica, Puerto Rico: Invading U.S. troops were first seen from this now-abandoned tower, leading to the Spanish-American War.

JURASSICA Museum

Discover JURASSICA Museum in Porrentruy, Switzerland: This little museum is packed with information about the region's past and present biodiversity.

Moerenuma Park

Discover Moerenuma Park in Sapporo, Japan: This futuristic public park includes large sculptures and an artificial geyser.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries

Discover Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries in London, England: This long-hidden space above Westminster Abbey now displays the battle gear of the legendary King Henry V.

Sasbahu Temples

Discover Sasbahu Temples in Gwalior, India: A pair of nearly 1,000-year-old temples profusely covered in meticulous stone carvings.

Rabbit Tree Hostel

Discover Rabbit Tree Hostel in Gili Meno, Indonesia: A crazy maze of a hostel, where every trap door and secret entrance brings you to a new wacky, wonderful room.

Lajos Tüköry Memorial Plaque

Discover Lajos Tüköry Memorial Plaque in Palermo, Italy: A plaque honoring a Hungarian hero of Italy is hidden in plain sight in Palermo.

Christian Sanderson Museum

Discover Christian Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania: An unusual and eclectic collection of local historical memorabilia.

Cedar Lakes Woods

Discover Cedar Lakes Woods in Williston, Florida: A peaceful, unique botanical garden complete with waterfalls, mini islands, and swans.

‘Llamas (He and She)’

Discover 'Llamas (He and She)' in Prague, Czechia: The rusted creatures wait to be discovered in Prague's botanical garden.

Hsi Lai Temple

Discover Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California: An unexpected and peaceful oasis on a hillside.

Lunt Roman Fort

Discover Lunt Roman Fort in Baginton, England: This reconstructed ancient fort was home to one of the few horse training rings in the Roman Empire.

Lake Michigan Crucifix

Discover Lake Michigan Crucifix in Petoskey, Michigan: Winter weather reveals a large Italian marble crucifix drowned beneath Lake Michigan.

Walt Whitman’s Grave

Discover Walt Whitman's Grave in Camden, New Jersey: The final resting place of one of the United States's greatest poets.

Abandoned Scar House Village

Discover Abandoned Scar House Village in North Yorkshire, England: The remains of a remote village that once housed over 1,200 dam workers and their families.

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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