Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Jerusalem YMCA

Discover Jerusalem YMCA in Jerusalem, Israel: This historic rec center in the heart of Israel is a bastion of peace and togetherness.

Beit Jimal

Discover Beit Jimal in Bet Shemesh, Israel: Located within one of Israel's most picturesque monasteries is also the country's first meteorological research station.

Yiftah’el Winery Cabin

Discover Yiftah'el Winery Cabin in Alon HaGalil, Israel: This wooden home was built in West Virginia by a Scottish immigrant before being moved to an Israeli winery.

Sha’ar HaGolan

Discover Sha'ar HaGolan in Sha'ar HaGolan, Israel: This archaeological site was the center of the extinct Yarmukian culture which developed the first roads and pottery in Israel.

Khan Saharonim

Discover Khan Saharonim in Mitzpe Ramon, Israel: One of the few guarded stops along the great spice route.

Kfar Kama

Discover Kfar Kama in Kfar Kama, Israel: One of only two towns in Israel populated by Circassians, a sect of Sunni Muslims who are also devoted to Israeli military service.

Beit Jann

Discover Beit Jann in Beit Jann, Israel: This ancient village is peopled by a religious minority and is still using some of the same materials it was built with thousands of years ago.

Christ Church in Jerusalem

Discover Christ Church in Jerusalem in Jerusalem, Israel: Oldest Protestant church in the Middle East, designed to resemble a synagogue.

Montefiore Windmill

Discover Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem, Israel: After over 100 years out of service this landmark windmill once again turns as a symbol of Jerusalem's self-sufficiency.

Golden Calf Altar

Discover Golden Calf Altar in Dan, Israel: Idol made by King Jeroboam for the Israelites.

Machon Ayalon

Discover Machon Ayalon in Rehovot, Israel: Hidden beneath a washing machine in a fake kibbutz, this secret bullet factory has been preserved as a museum.

Negev Desert Embroidery and Weaving

Discover Negev Desert Embroidery and Weaving in Laqiya, Israel: Traditional Bedouin crafting has become an official tourist site and successful industry for its female craftspeople.

Honey Bee Hive House

Discover Honey Bee Hive House in East Jerusalem, Israel: A geometric jumble of homes in Jerusalem.

Meah Shearim

Discover Meah Shearim in Jerusalem, Israel: Neighborhood in Jerusalem is home to the ultra-orthodox haredim.

Jerusalem’s Ancient Tunnel

Discover Siloam Tunnel in East Jerusalem, Israel: An ancient tunnel in Jerusalem built to redirect water in the event of a siege is one of history’s great architectural innovations.

Ades Synagogue

Discover Ades Synagogue in Jerusalem, Israel: This "Jewish Sistine Chapel" was designed to reinvigorate Judaism's artistic legacy but was almost lost to misguided restoration.

Saba’s Little Museum

Discover Saba's Little Museum in Jerusalem, Israel: Through a collection of modern bric-a-brac this museum tells the story of the Jewish people from Biblical times to today.

Tisch Family Zoological Park

Discover Tisch Family Zoological Park in Jerusalem, Israel: Biblical beasts and endangered animal preservation come together in this Israeli zoo.

The Carmelit

Discover The Carmelit in Haifa, Israel: This subterranean funicular is one of the world's smallest subways.

The Mifletzet

Discover The Mifletzet in Jerusalem, Israel: This nightmarish children's plaything was left grotesque to help kids conquer their fear.

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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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