Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Johnny Cash Mural

Discover Johnny Cash Mural in Sacramento, California: This 15-story mural celebrates the 50th anniversary of the musician's iconic "At Folsom Prison" album.

Tbilisi AutoMuseum

Discover Tbilisi AutoMuseum in Tbilisi, Georgia: This extensive collection of vintage Soviet cars is the only one of its kind in the Caucasus.

Monoliths of the Templo Mayor

Discover Monoliths of the Templo Mayor in Mexico City, Mexico: This museum houses two of Mexico's most impressive Aztec monoliths.

Pompes Grav (Pompe the Dog’s Grave)

Discover Pompes Grav (Pompe the Dog's Grave) in Stockholm, Sweden: A tombstone on the grounds of the royal castle marks the burial site of a Swedish king's beloved dog.

Johanna Spyri Museum

Discover Johanna Spyri Museum in Hirzel, Switzerland: Its collection commemorates the author of the iconic children's book "Heidi.".

California Historical Society Headquarters

Discover California Historical Society Headquarters in San Francisco, California: A former hardware store near Yerba Buena is the official home of California's history.

Father Goose Memorial

Discover Father Goose Memorial in Fort Collins, Colorado: This stone marker honors the man who released Canada goose goslings in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Eyes of the Moor

Discover Los Ojos de la Mora in Cuenca, Spain: Two large eyes painted anonymously on a mountain overlooking the city pay homage to an old legend.

‘Bagage’

Discover 'Bagage' in Leiden, Netherlands: A striking memorial to the Jews of Leiden who were murdered during World War II is scattered throughout the city.

Lady Buddha

Discover Lady Buddha in Thọ Quang, Vietnam: Vietnam's largest Buddha statue depicts a female sage.

Monumento Manto de María

Discover Monumento Manto de María in Barquisimeto, Venezuela: This unique depiction of the Virgin Mary may be the tallest kinetic art sculpture in the world.

Civil Defense Control Center

Discover Civil Defense Control Center in New Orleans, Louisiana: An abandoned underground bunker not far from downtown New Orleans.

John Knox’s Grave

Discover John Knox's Grave in Edinburgh, Scotland: The Scottish Reformation leader's grave was paved over and is now a parking lot.

Hundertwasser Drinking Fountain

Discover Hundertwasser Drinking Fountain in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel: One of only three fountains created by the iconic architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

Ma’in Hot Springs

Discover Ma'in Hot Springs in Mkawer, Jordan: This cascade of mineral-rich hot springs and waterfalls is an oasis in the Jordanian desert.

Red Onion Saloon

Discover Red Onion Saloon in Skagway, Alaska: Originally a brothel during the Klondike Gold Rush, this bar once used dolls to denote when ladies were working.

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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

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