Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Es-Salt

Discover Es-Salt in Es-Salt, Jordan: This ancient town is full of stunning Ottoman architecture and streets so narrow trash collection is done by donkey.

Talula the Elk Rapids Swan

Discover Talula the Elk Rapids Swan in Elk Rapids, Michigan: Talula the swan has been welcoming visitors to Elk Rapids, Michigan, for more than four decades.

The Lady of Cerro de los Santos

Discover The Lady of Cerro de los Santos in Madrid, Spain: This enigmatic artifact is a rare depiction of an ancient Iberian noblewoman.

Beyond Baroque

Discover Beyond Baroque in Los Angeles, California: Founded by a high school teacher, this poetry magazine became a center for all things literary.

El-Jazzar Mosque

Discover El-Jazzar Mosque in Acre, Israel: A stunning mosque owes its design to an Ottoman ruler nicknamed "the Butcher.".

Cusco Cathedral

Discover Cusco Cathedral in Cusco, Peru: Situated on a sacred Inca site, this 16th-century cathedral took nearly 100 years to build.

El Camino del Diablo

Discover El Camino del Diablo in Arizona: This ancient trail has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people.

The Ilkeston Giant Statue

Discover The Ilkeston Giant Statue in Ilkeston, England: A wooden statue commemorates a local celebrity who became a national sensation for his height.

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center

Discover Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center in Round Mountain, Texas: This beautiful grotto is one of those places where you can't believe you're just outside Austin.

Congo Square

Discover Congo Square in New Orleans, Louisiana: Once the site of a Native American harvest festival, this humble clearing later played an invaluable role in the birth of jazz.

The Warsaw Basilisk

Discover The Warsaw Basilisk in Warsaw, Poland: A menacing statue of this mythical creature can be seen at the legendary site of the monster's lair.

Pampa Galeras National Reserve

Discover Pampa Galeras National Reserve in Lucanas Province, Peru: This high-Andean reserve protects the graceful vicuña that was nearly hunted to extinction for its precious wool.

Shaki Waterfall

Discover Shaki Waterfall in Shaki, Armenia: After visiting hours, this picturesque waterfall is essentially turned "off" to be used for hydroelectric power.

Street Name Tiles of New Orleans

Discover Street Name Tiles of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana: This distinctive Crescent City tradition dates back to the days of horse-drawn carriages.

Biso Pokuna

Discover Biso Pokuna in Moneragala, Sri Lanka: This enigmatic stone pool is all that remains of an ancient palace.

Tower of Joan of Arc

Discover Tower of Joan of Arc in Rouen, France: This medieval tower is all that remains of the castle where Joan of Arc was held before being burned at the stake.

Tomb of Dion Fortune

Discover Tomb of Dion Fortune in Glastonbury, England: The final resting place of one of the most influential modern occultists.

Site of Execution Dock

Discover Site of Execution Dock in London, England: Where condemned pirates met their grisly end at the gallows on the River Thames.

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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