Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Conimbriga Ruins and Museum

Discover Conimbriga Ruins and Museum in Condeixa-a-Velha, Portugal: One of the largest Roman settlements in Portugal.

Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs

Discover Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs in Porto, Portugal: Ancient catacombs form the foundation for this Rococo orgy of a church.

Hotel Monte Palace

Discover Hotel Monte Palace in São Miguel, Portugal: This abandoned five-star hotel is now a five-star urban exploration destination.

Fort of Graça

Discover Fort of Graça in Elvas, Portugal: This star-shaped military outpost is now simply trying to protect itself from neglect.

Montemor-o-Novo Castle

Discover Montemor-o-Novo Castle in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal: This crumbling Portuguese ruin overlooks the populace it once ruled.

Bordallo Pinheiro Garden

Discover Bordallo Pinheiro Garden in Lisbon, Portugal: A garden in Lisbon filled with giant porcelain creations.

Stone House

Discover Stone House in Moreira do Rei, Portugal: A small Portuguese cottage formed between boulders in the countryside.

Santa Justa Lift

Discover Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, Portugal: This Industrial Age architectural and engineering gem helps visitors and residents alike traverse Lisbon, “The City of Seven Hills.”.

Bom Jesus do Monte

Discover Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, Portugal: A stunning 18th-century site where pilgrims ascend by a series of punishing stairs only to return via funicular.

Boca do Inferno

Discover Boca do Inferno in Cascais, Portugal: A unique seaside cave where Aleister Crowley faked his own death.

Capela do Senhor da Pedra

Discover Capela do Senhor da Pedra in Arcozelo, Portugal: Picturesque intersection of witchcraft and ancient Christianity.

Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors)

Discover Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) in Sintra, Portugal: An ancient and majestic fortress that played an integral role in Portugal's road to independence.

Capela de Ossos Bone Chapel

Discover Capela de Ossos Bone Chapel in Faro, Portugal: This small chapel is built of human bones and decorated with a golden skeleton.

Rhinoceros of Belem Tower

Discover Rhinoceros of Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal: A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck.

Carmo Convent Ruins

Discover Carmo Convent Ruins in Lisbon, Portugal: Legacy of the earthquake that nearly wiped Lisbon off the face of the Earth.

Portugal’s Chapel of Bones

Discover Portugal's Chapel of Bones in Évora, Portugal: A 16th century chapel decorated with bones, skulls, and entire bodies hanging from the wall.

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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