Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Tel Hazor

Discover Tel Hazor in Ayelet HaShahar, Israel: A Biblically notable site over the ruins of an ancient city that is now a protected World Heritage site.

Dead Sea Sinkholes

Discover Dead Sea Sinkholes in Ein Gedi, Israel: As the Dead Sea continues to deplete, massive sinkholes open along its banks.

Makhtesh Ramon

Discover Makhtesh Ramon in Ramat Negev Regional Council, Israel: A massive, heart-shaped, wind-carved crater in the middle of the Israeli desert.

Akhzivland

Discover Akhzivland in Nahariya, Israel: The most peaceful "country" in the Middle East.

Museum On The Seam

Discover Museum On The Seam in Jerusalem, Israel: Sitting right on the border between East and West Jerusalem this modern art museum is in itself a symbol of Israel's hoped-for unity.

Zedekiah’s Cave

Discover Zedekiah's Cave in East Jerusalem, Israel: An ancient quarry rediscovered by a dog and claimed by biblical kings, a German cult, and the Freemasons.

Shrine of the Book

Discover Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem, Israel: The home of the Dead Sea Scrolls is an abstract modernist dream.

Beit Guvrin Caves

Discover Beit Guvrin Caves in Ashkelon, Israel: These numerous Israeli caves were dug out over hundreds years for reasons ranging from hideouts to burial sites.

Rosh HaNikra Grottoes

Discover Rosh HaNikra Grottoes in Acre, Israel: The bluer than blue waters in these natural Israeli caves are reached via the world's steepest cable car.

The Azure Window and the Blue Hole

Discover The Azure Window and the Blue Hole in San Lawrenz, Malta: Two geological phenomena in one precarious locale: a towering stone window, and a deep blue void.

Casa Rocca Piccola

Discover Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta, Malta: Dynastic Home of the De Piro Family.

Santa Marija Tal-Virtù Chapel

Discover Santa Marija Tal-Virtù Chapel in Rabat, Malta: Abandoned Roman Catholic chapel abused by Satanists before being restored.

Malta Cart Tracks

Discover Malta Cart Tracks in Attard, Malta: Ancient mysterious ruts carved in the bedrock.

Jesus Tree of Malta

Discover Jesus Tree of Malta in Mdina, Malta: The Jesus tree of Malta bears a striking resemblance to Christ on the cross.

The Old Prison

Discover The Old Prison in Victoria, Malta: This prison on the Maltese island of Gozo is almost 500 years old, and they have the graffiti to prove it.

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

Discover Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola, Malta: This subterranean necropolis holds three floors of antler-dug grave caves.

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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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