Archives: Atlas Obscuras

‘An Allegory of Man’

Discover 'An Allegory of Man' in London, England: This mysterious and unique painting is filled with symbolism.

Little Manitou Lake

Discover Little Manitou Lake in Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan: This mineral lake known for its healing powers is so buoyant it's been dubbed the "Dead Sea of Canada.".

Cave of the Seven Palaces

Discover Cave of the Seven Palaces in Almuñécar, Spain: Despite its grandiose name, this enigmatic first-century void under the town is no cave, and it's possibly not a palace either.

100 Roofs Cafe

Discover 100 Roofs Cafe in Dalat, Vietnam: This Vietnamese bar doubles as a multistory labyrinth.

Elsie Cemetery

Discover Elsie Cemetery in Seaside, Oregon: This small, rural pioneer cemetery is full of interesting grave markers.

Stockholm Observatory

Discover Stockholm Observatory in Stockholm, Sweden: When this 18th-century observatory's meridian was moved, it set Sweden's time back by 0.04 seconds.

Heart of the Monster

Discover Heart of the Monster in Kamiah, Idaho: This landmark is a central figure in the Nez Perce origin story.

The Garden House

Discover The Garden House in Stockport, England: This delightful hidden farm is home to Victorian ruins and a wonderful menagerie of animals.

Saint Hilarion Castle

Discover Saint Hilarion Castle in Karaman, Cyprus: The ruins of a fairytale castle with a tumultuous history stand high atop the mountains.

Angel De Cora Museum and Research Center

Discover Angel De Cora Museum and Research Center in Winnebago, Nebraska: A Winnebago Tribe collection featuring arrowheads, artwork, and a mysterious rock carving.

Replica of Duchamp’s ‘The Large Glass’

Discover Replica of Duchamp's 'The Large Glass' in Tokyo, Japan: One of three official copies of Marcel Duchamp's enigmatic masterpiece is on display in an obscure Tokyo museum.

Tipasa Roman Ruins

Discover Tipasa Roman Ruins in Tipaza, Algeria: An extraordinary mix of Phoenician, Roman, early Christian, and Byzantine ruins beautifully set overlooking the Mediterranean.

Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe

Discover Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe in Washington, D.C.: A museum cafe showcases Native American dishes and indigenous ingredients from across the Western Hemisphere.

Monument to the Indigenous People

Discover Monument to the Indigenous People in Santiago, Chile: This sculpture meant to honor the bravery of the Indigenous Mapuche people of Chile proved controversial.

Shrine of St. Thaddaeus

Discover Shrine of St. Thaddaeus in Warsaw, Poland: Hundreds of notes give thanks to the patron saint of lost causes.

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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