Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Murals in the Market

Discover Murals in the Market in Detroit, Michigan: Detroit’s Eastern Market has been transformed into an outdoor museum with colorful murals that address social issues and symbolize the city.

Tjelvar’s Grave

Discover Tjelvar's Grave in Boge, Sweden: A Bronze Age stone ship said to be the grave of the mythical founder of Gotland.

Trollvägen Magic Hill

Discover Trollvägen Magic Hill in Älvdalen N, Sweden: Gravity seems to fail at this intriguing Swedish attraction.

Lycksele Ice Pillar

Discover Lycksele Ice Pillar in Lycksele, Sweden: This small town's local tradition is to create the world's tallest ice pillar.

The Prophet of Oak Ridge’s Grave

Discover The Prophet of Oak Ridge's Grave in Oak Ridge, Tennessee: John Hendrix predicted the creation of the "Secret City" built as part of the Manhattan Project.

Valongo Sanatorium

Discover Valongo Sanatorium in Valongo, Portugal: An abandoned tuberculosis hospital said to be haunted by the patients who died within its walls.

Sweet Home Cafe

Discover Sweet Home Cafe in Washington, D.C.: This unique museum cafeteria showcases the history and regional diversity of African American cuisine.

Deer Horn Tree

Discover Deer Horn Tree in Junction, Texas: A curious cone-shaped structure made of wire and covered with antlers.

Electric Avenue

Discover Electric Avenue in London, England: "We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue, and then we'll take it higher…".

Ben Gunn’s Cave

Discover Ben Gunn's Cave in Bridge of Allan, Scotland: A carved bench marks the Scottish cave that inspired the classic adventure novel "Treasure Island.".

Museo Espacio

Discover Museo Espacio in Aguascalientes, Mexico: A formerly derelict railway workshop is home to a new world-class contemporary art museum in Central Mexico.

Elberton Ghost Town

Discover Elberton Ghost Town in Garfield, Washington: A nearly abandoned 19th-century town on the Palouse.

No Scum Allowed Saloon

Discover No Scum Allowed Saloon in White Oaks, New Mexico: In a largely deserted ghost town, a little brick building recalls its history as a gold rush hub and haven for outlaws.

Museum Depot

Discover Museum Depot in Leiden, Netherlands: Unknown to many, this is where items not displayed in a Dutch history of science museum are held.

Bodiam Castle

Discover Bodiam Castle in Bodiam, England: A beautiful ruin of a 14th-century Plantagenet castle built by a medieval mercenary.

Memory Park Christ Chapel

Discover Memory Park Christ Chapel in Townsend, Georgia: Dubbed the "smallest church in America," this tiny sanctuary was a local grocer's dream come true.

The Charterhouse Black Death Skeleton

Discover The Charterhouse Black Death Skeleton in London, England: This historic building displays the remains of a victim of the devastating 14th-century plague.

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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