Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Sharon Temple

Discover Sharon Temple in East Gwillimbury, Ontario: An architectural marvel built by a nearly forgotten Canadian Quaker sect, the Children of Peace.

Lille Natural History Museum

Discover Lille Natural History Museum in Lille, France: An astounding collection of taxidermy, fossils, skeletons, and even a few strange live beasts.

Frieze of Lions

Discover Frieze of Lions in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France: This pair of running lions engraved on animal bone is one of the earliest artistic depictions of big cats.

Holy Hill

Discover Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin: According to the legend, this strikingly beautiful hill has miraculous healing powers.

Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center

Discover Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center in Langtry, Texas: Once called the Jersey Lilly, this former saloon was the domain of infamous Judge Roy Bean.

Cairns Library Bats

Discover Cairns Library Bats in Cairns, Australia: These flying foxes dangle from the trees around the library like fuzzy black fruit.

Kronblom on a Walk

Discover Kronblom on a Walk in Stockholm, Sweden: Wooden cutouts of the fictional family from the popular Swedish comic strip take a stroll along the side of the road.

The Labirinto della Masone

Discover The Labirinto della Masone in Fontanellato, Italy: The world's largest bamboo labyrinth is a living demonstration of the plant’s immense potential.

Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum

Discover Al-Qurain Martyrs Museum in Qurain, Kuwait: The site of a bloody showdown between invading Iraqi forces and a cell of the popular resistance in Kuwait.

Anjuna Flea Market

Discover Anjuna Flea Market in Anjuna, India: This weekly bazaar started in the 1960s as a way for hippie travelers to barter their goods.

Old Benzie County Courthouse

Discover Old Benzie County Courthouse in Beulah, Michigan: This former county courthouse was originally an opulent hotel and entertainment venue.

La Carolina Park

Discover La Carolina Park in Quito, Ecuador: This huge green space packed with activities will make you forget you're in the middle of the Ecuadorian capital.

Mexicaltitán de Uribe

Discover Mexicaltitán de Uribe in Mexcaltitán de Uribe, Mexico: Legend says this tiny ancient island is the lost ancestral homeland of the Aztecs.

Marshall Family Cemetery

Discover Marshall Family Cemetery in Burke, Virginia: A 14-foot monument marks the resting place of two of the town's earliest residents—and one unknown soldier.

Indy’s Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum

Discover Indy's Teeny Statue of Liberty Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana: The building is topped by a Statue of Liberty statue whose torch has stayed burning since the museum opened.

Okanogan Highland Ghost Towns

Discover Okanogan Highland Ghost Towns in Molson, Washington: This former mining hub holds a surprising abundance of undisturbed relics from the Old West.

‘People and Landscape of Michoacán’ Mural

Discover 'People and Landscape of Michoacán' Mural in Morelia, Mexico: This masterpiece of muralism depicts the rich culture of the people of Michoacán and their timeless connection to the land.

Cantabrian Chamois of Asturias

Discover Cantabrian Chamois of Asturias in Posada de Valdeón, Spain: These ungulates have quite literally bounced back from the brink of extinction.

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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