Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Minaret of Al-Muhdhar Mosque

Discover Minaret of Al-Muhdhar Mosque in Tarim, Yemen: The tallest minaret in Yemen is 150 feet high and entirely made of mud.

Ocean Atlas

Discover Ocean Atlas in Nassau, Bahamas: The world’s largest underwater sculpture is found just off the coast of Nassau.

Ricardo Rojas House Museum

Discover Ricardo Rojas House Museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina: A pocket of serenity in hectic Buenos Aires, complete with a peaceful courtyard and massive library.

The House of Ernesto Sábato

Discover The House of Ernesto Sábato in Santos Lugares, Argentina: Honor one of Argentina's most prolific writers at his historic home.

Virgil I. Gus Grissom Rocket Monument

Discover Virgil I. Gus Grissom Rocket Monument in Mitchell, Indiana: This memorial to the Mercury Seven astronaut stands at the site of his former elementary school.

Mississippi Petrified Forest

Discover Mississippi Petrified Forest in Flora, Mississippi: A preserved stretch of ancient fossilized trees with an impressive gem collection to boot.

The Black Beaches of La Palma

Discover The Black Beaches of La Palma in La Palma, Spain: Volcanic rocks ground down into sand make this Spanish beach as black as night.

Chmarošský Viaduct

Discover Chmarošský Viaduct in Telgárt, Slovakia: A gorgeous stone viaduct crosses over a bucolic valley.

The Hydrangea Train

Discover The Hydrangea Train in Odawara, Japan: Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

Morenci Mine

Discover Morenci Mine in Morenci, Arizona: The largest copper mine in Arizona, this enormous open pit emerges from the hills like an alien landscape.

Crossroads of the World

Discover Crossroads of the World in Los Angeles, California: A few iconic structures are all that remain of America’s first outdoor shopping mall.

Villa Ocampo

Discover Villa Ocampo in Béccar, Argentina: A beautiful riverside mansion where the intellectual life of early-20th-century Argentina flourished.

Peironcely 10

Discover Peironcely 10 in Madrid, Spain: An iconic photograph from the Spanish Civil War saved this shrapnel-scarred historic house from destruction.

Afaq Khoja Mausoleum

Discover Afaq Khoja Mausoleum in Kashi Diqu, China: An exquisite example of Uyghur Islamic architecture.

Bismarck Tower Ruin

Discover Bismarck Tower Ruin in Kętrzyn County, Poland: This hilltop ruin is of the hundreds of stone columns built in tribute to the first German chancellor.

Stone Gates of Hollywood

Discover Stone Gates of Hollywood in Los Angeles, California: These two monoliths have stood at the entrance to the neighborhood since the days it was called "Hollywoodland.".

Enchanted City of Tamajón

Discover Enchanted City of Tamajón in Tamajón, Spain: Whimsical sculptures and caves chiseled by nature over the millennia.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 260 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. 474 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. 499 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. 633 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. 135 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. 167 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). 252 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 148 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. 96 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. 166

PP ToS