Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Stained-Glass Demons

Discover Stained-Glass Demons in Strasbourg, France: Explore this medieval cathedral by trying to spot all the malevolent monsters hiding in its beautifully colored windows.

La Virgen de Quito

Discover La Virgen de Quito in Quito, Ecuador: This 12-inch-tall wooden sculpture of a winged Virgin Mary has inspired much devotion and countless replicas.

The Bunker Mules of Blåvand Beach

Discover Blåvand Beach Bunker Mules in Blåvand, Denmark: These old World War II fortifications have been transformed into an unusual equine attraction.

Teatro Solís

Discover Teatro Solís in Montevideo, Uruguay: This beautiful example of neoclassical architecture is one of Uruguay's most treasured cultural gems.

Asiago War Memorial

Discover Asiago War Memorial in Asiago, Italy: The remains of 50,000 World War I soldiers rest under a towering arch overlooking the Alpine battlefields.

The ‘Stone Child’ of Leinzell

Discover Steinkind von Leinzell in Tübingen, Germany: The Tübingen University anatomical collection hosts an example of an extremely rare medical phenomenon.

HMS Trincomalee

Discover HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool, England: The oldest warship in Europe is still afloat.

Millennial Olive of Arroyo Carnicero

Discover Millennial Olive of Arroyo Carnicero in Casabermeja, Spain: This surreal-looking tree pruned more than 1,000 years ago is still producing olives for oil.

Brutalist Church of Podgorica

Discover Brutalist Church of Podgorica in Podgorica, Montenegro: This virtually windowless mass of smooth concrete is the only Catholic church in the city.

Nazca Lines Observation Tower

Discover Nazca Lines Observation Tower in Nazca, Peru: This metal tower in the desert provides views of a handful of Nazca geoglyphs.

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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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