Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Austrian Hospice

Discover The Austrian Hospice in Jerusalem, Israel: This unassuming oasis elevated just above the busy streets of Jerusalem offers one of the best views of the Old City.

The ‘Astronaut’ of Casar

Discover The 'Astronaut' of Casar in Cáceres, Spain: A strange anthropomorphic stele with a mysterious inscription that has never been deciphered.

Jordan’s Breathtaking River Canyons

Discover River Canyons of Jordan in Areedh Sub-District, Jordan: Concentrated around the Dead Sea, these surprising canyons are filled with coursing water, fish, and even crabs.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Discover Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears, Michigan: An unlikely beach paradise of giant sand dunes lies between two lakes just a few minutes from Michigan's cherry country.

Pavilhão Chinês

Discover Pavilhão Chinês in Lisbon, Portugal: Ring the bell to enter a bar that looks equal parts museum and old curiosity shop.

Western Approaches Museum

Discover Western Approaches Museum in Liverpool, England: Hiding in plain sight is a World War II-era bunker that looks like it's frozen in time.

Kifubwa Stream Rock Shelter

Discover Kifubwa Stream Rock Shelter in Solwezi, Zambia: Rare pigmented engravings cover the walls of this Stone Age shelter.

Museum of Folk Architecture

Discover Museum of Folk Architecture in Sanok, Poland: An open-air museum of 18th-century homes and churches transported from various villages in Southern Poland.

Lahıc

Discover Lahıc in Lahıc, Azerbaijan: The village's cobblestone streets are lined with shops displaying exquisite copper craftsmanship.

Faculty of Medicine Mural

Discover Faculty of Medicine Mural in Mexico City, Mexico: A gigantic, symbolic artwork covers the side of the building.

Japanese Cultural Village

Discover Japanese Cultural Village in Los Angeles, California: A fashion designer's dazzling world of Japanese collectibles is hidden in a warehouse downtown.

Cuello Mayan Ruins

Discover Cuello Mayan Ruins in Orange Walk, Belize: These enigmatic ruins continue to vex archaeologists.

The Maiden Tower

Discover The Maiden Tower in Baku, Azerbaijan: This mysterious but iconic tapered tower appears in many Azeri fairytales and legends.

Churchill River Beluga Whales

Discover Churchill River Beluga Whales in Churchill, Manitoba: You don't have to visit the deep blue sea to see these majestic creatures swimming wild and free.

Helsinki Observatory

Discover Helsinki Observatory in Helsinki, Finland: Finland's oldest astronomical observatory once played a crucial role in seafaring and timekeeping.

Keahole Point Blowhole

Discover Keahole Point Blowhole in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii: This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

The Pumping Station

Discover The Pumping Station in Cardiff, Wales: This eclectic antique shop is home to the taxidermy remains of a celebrity lion named Simba.

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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