Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Lourdes’ Grotto

Discover Lourdes' Grotto in Mar del Plata, Argentina: A grotto replicating one of the world's most famed Marian apparitions sits across the ocean from the original.

Sanctuaries of Difunta Correa

Discover Sanctuaries of Difunta Correa in Caucete, Argentina: Trash-filled shrines to an unofficial saint known for her endless breast milk dot the highways of Argentina.

The Time Capsule of Ushuaia

Discover The Time Capsule of Ushuaia in Ushuaia, Argentina: This plaza at the end of the world teems with monumental tributes to a problematic history, and laser discs.

Campo del Cielo Meteorite Field

Discover Campo del Cielo Meteorite Field in Almirante Brown Department, Argentina: A vast landscape of craters created by meteorites.

Argentine Vintage Funeral Cadillacs

Discover Argentine Vintage Funeral Cadillacs in Caleu Caleu Department, Argentina: The clients of these mysterious hand-crafted funeral cars took their last ride in style.

Jaramillo Petrified Forest

Discover Jaramillo Petrified Forest in Deseado Department, Argentina: Conifers from the Jurassic Period transformed into stone in Patagonia.

Tierra Santa

Discover Tierra Santa in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Bible stories are brought to life with gloriously cartoonish kitsch in this South American theme park.

Rocsen Museum

Discover Rocsen Museum in Nono, Argentina: One man's quest to collect artifacts from every aspect of human life has resulted in this eclectic Argentinian museum.

Abandoned Cemetery of San Andres de Giles

Discover Abandoned Cemetery of San Andres de Giles in San Andres de Giles, Argentina: Crumbling crypts and overgrown graves rise just out of arm's reach in this forgotten Buenos Aires graveyard.

Borges Memorial Maze

Discover Borges Memorial Maze in San Rafael, Argentina: This Argentinian hedge maze is an intricate tribute to a famous surrealist author.

Wanda Mines

Discover Wanda Mines in Wanda, Argentina: A small but industrious mining operation that allows visitors to touch precious gems while they are still in the rock.

Tafí del Valle Menhires

Discover Tafí del Valle Menhires in Tafí del Valle Department, Argentina: Mysterious and ancient carved standing stones.

Strange House

Discover Strange House in Cafayate, Argentina: Visit this odd display of indigenous style in Argentine wine country.

Thermal Baths of Villavicencio

Discover Thermal Baths of Villavicencio in Las Heras Department, Argentina: Mineral springs believed to hold therapeutic properties draw in visitors from all over.

Coloso

Discover Coloso in Villa Martelli, Argentina: This giant power line tower is a robot that can express its moods in neon.

The Tomb of Rufina Cambacérès

Discover The Tomb of Rufina Cambacérès in Buenos Aires, Argentina: A beautiful young girl said to have been buried alive in her coffin….

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 260 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. 474 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. 499 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. 633 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. 135 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. 167 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). 252 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 148 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. 96 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. 166

PP ToS