Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Van der Wall Telescope

Discover Van der Wall Telescope in Leiden, Netherlands: Once the world's biggest telescope, it was later used as a coat hanger by a famous Dutch astronomer.

Willebrord Snellius’ Grave

Discover Willebrord Snellius' Grave in Leiden, Netherlands: One of the great math minds of the 17th century is underfoot in this 900 year old Dutch church.

Lady of Stavoren

Discover Lady of Stavoren in Stavoren, Netherlands: This Dutch statue is a monument to the fictional shrew who brought doom to the city of Stavoren.

Radio Bloemendaal

Discover Radio Bloemendaal in Bloemendaal, Netherlands: Small transmitter operated by a priest in the Netherlands.

Leiden Gunpowder Disaster Memorial

Discover Leiden Gunpowder Disaster Memorial in Leiden, Netherlands: A massive explosion that leveled hundreds of buildings in the city of Leiden is remembered by a waterside plaque.

Dwingeloo Radio Observatory

Discover Dwingeloo Radio Observatory in Dwingeloo, Netherlands: This giant radio telescope would be a rusting ruin if it hadn't become such a beloved relic.

The Old Leiden Belltower

Discover The Old Leiden Belltower in Leiden, Netherlands: The remains of a medieval wall discovered in the basement of a jewelry store.

Museum Prinsenhof Delft

Discover Museum Prinsenhof Delft in Delft, Netherlands: Now a museum this building was once a 14th century monastery and the place where the founder of the Dutch nation lived and was assassinated.

Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope

Discover Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope in Zwiggelte, Netherlands: A radio telescope for listening to the stars, based in one of the cloudiest countries in the world.

Pinetum Blijdenstein

Discover Pinetum Blijdenstein in Hilversum, Netherlands: Most complete collection of Gymnosperms in the world.

IJsseloog

Discover IJsseloog in Dronten, Netherlands: This artificial ring island was built to hold cubic tons of polluted dirt.

The Old Leiden Belltower

Discover The Old Leiden Belltower in Leiden, Netherlands: The remains of a medieval wall discovered in the basement of a jewelry store.

Hooglandse Kerk Clock

Discover Hooglandse Kerk Clock in Leiden, Netherlands: Once housed in the towers of this Gothic church, this 17th century clock still ticks today.

LOFAR Superterp

Discover LOFAR Superterp in Buinen, Netherlands: The nerve center of a massive, state-of-the art radio telescope that sprawls across Western Europe.

World’s Largest Mosaic Egg

Discover World's Largest Mosaic Egg in Hilversum, Netherlands: Made of 41,900 pieces of mosaic, it took two years to piece together this giant egg.

Animal Highway: Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo

Discover Natuurbrug Zanderij Crailoo in Hilversum, Netherlands: The world's longest wildlife overpass provides Hilversum's critters with a safe alternative to trying their luck on the roadway.

Vorstengraf

Discover Vorstengraf in Oss, Netherlands: One of the largest burial mounds in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Schokland

Discover Schokland in Schokland, Netherlands: The struggle of a small Dutch island against the sea.

Greccio Museum of Devotional Items

Discover Greccio Museum of Devotional Items in Leiden, Netherlands: This small museum collects the Christian remembrances which would otherwise be forgotten.

Gerbrandy Tower

Discover Gerbrandy Tower in IJsselstein, Netherlands: Tower that turns into world's tallest Christmas tree.

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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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