Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Judah Hyam Synagogue

Discover Judah Hyam Synagogue in New Delhi, India: This synagogue is the only place of worship for New Delhi’s small Jewish community.

Khaju Bridge

Discover Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran: This 17th-century structure is a beautiful testimony to traditional Persian architecture.

Brisbane Customs House Mushrooms

Discover Brisbane Customs House Mushrooms in Brisbane, Australia: The basement of a 19th-century government building provides peak conditions for delicious fungi.

Calvert Vaux Cove

Discover Calvert Vaux Cove in Brooklyn, New York: This small, hidden cove is home to abandoned boats.

Wat Tham Pla

Discover Wat Tham Pla in Tambon Pong Ngam, Thailand: A Buddhist shrine in a cave protected by macaques next to dark passages lined with creepy paintings.

Thames Lido

Discover Thames Lido in Reading, England: Soak up some local history in this restored Edwardian era swimming pool.

Royal Malaysian Police Museum

Discover Royal Malaysian Police Museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: This surprising museum tells the story of modern Malaysia through the history of its law enforcement.

Dorothy’s Grave

Discover Dorothy's Grave in Bloomington, Illinois: The carved remains of a 200-year-old oak tree memorialize the namesake of the iconic "Wizard of Oz" character.

Fruit and Spice Park

Discover Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Florida: Found: Garden of Eden in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Isle of Tears

Discover Isle of Tears in Minsk, Belarus: A beautiful and moving memorial set on a little island in the middle of the river in Minsk.

Casey’s Cottage

Discover Casey's Cottage in Mexico, New York: A carriage house converted into what resembles an 11th-century English manor house.

Ben Chifley’s Model Airplane

Discover Ben Chifley's Model Airplane in South Bathurst, Australia: The intriguing artifact can be found in the former Australian prime minister's home.

Chapel of El Rey San Pascual

Discover Chapel of El Rey San Pascual in Olintepeque, Guatemala: Hidden in the highlands of Guatemala, a small shrine venerates a forbidden folk saint.

St. Sepulchre’s Execution Bell

Discover St. Sepulchre's Execution Bell in London, England: On the eve of a condemned prisoner's death, this bell rang 12 times outside their cell.

Duge Beipanjiang Bridge

Discover Duge Beipanjiang Bridge in Qujing, China: The highest bridge in the world rises a dizzying 1,854 feet above the river.

S.O.E. Monument

Discover S.O.E. Monument in London, England: A bronze bust commemorates the heroism of the secret agents who led covert operations against the Nazis.

Jailer’s Inn Bed and Breakfast

Discover Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bardstown, Kentucky: Kentucky's longest operating jail is now a spooky spot to spend the night.

Old Scarlett’s Grave

Discover Old Scarlett's Grave in Peterborough, England: A humble homage to a gravedigger tucked within the dignified English cathedral.

Overgrown Ship Hulk

Discover Overgrown Ship Hulk in Anacortes, Washington: This dilapidated ship carcass covered in trees is a striking sight.

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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