Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Bibi Maryam Mausoleum

Discover Bibi Maryam Mausoleum in Qalhat, Oman: This lonely tomb is all that remains of a once-bustling ancient trade hub visited by Marco Polo.

Al Jassasiya Petroglyphs

Discover Al Jassasiya Petroglyphs in Qatar: A staggering number of rock carvings in an abandoned quarry.

Consuegra Windmills

Discover Consuegra Windmills in Consuegra, Spain: This line of 12 tower mills described in the story of Don Quixote is among the most iconic landscapes in Spain.

The Smoking Hills

Discover The Smoking Hills in Inuvik, Unorganized, Northwest Territories: These hellish-looking cliffs in the Canadian Arctic have been burning for centuries.

Caves of Hercules

Discover Caves of Hercules in Tangier, Morocco: Along the most northwestern point in Africa is an ancient cave surrounded by legends.

Gravensteen’s Whipping Pole

Discover Gravensteen's Whipping Pole in Leiden, Netherlands: A relic of the old jail still stands in its original location.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

Discover Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee: This museum pays tribute to the Cherokee leader who created a written language for his people.

The Map that Changed the World

Created by "father of English geology," this iconic map is hidden behind a curtain in the Geological Society building.

Fourknocks Passage Tomb

Discover Fourknocks Passage Tomb in Stamullen, Ireland: An ancient chamber filled with wonderful rock art and a Neolithic carving of a human face.

La Estatua de Colón

Discover La Estatua de Colón in Arecibo, Puerto Rico: This giant bronze image of Christopher Columbus embarked on a voyage of its own.

Lime Kiln Trail

Discover Lime Kiln Trail in Granite Falls, Washington: Four abandoned towers hidden above the Douglas fir forest in Washington.

Nardò Ring

Discover Nardò Ring in Italy: This high-speed test track is popular with car manufacturers, speed freaks and orbiting astronauts.

La Mola Lighthouse

Discover La Mola Lighthouse in Illes Balears, Spain: A solitary lighthouse in Spain was an inspiration to the great Jules Verne.

Calangute Market Square

Discover Calangute Market Square in Baga, India: Known as the "Queen of Beach Markets," Calangute epitomizes Goa's beach flea market scene.

El Cañuelo

Discover El Cañuelo in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico: This small fort played a huge role defending Puerto Rico’s capital city.

Orenda Spring Tufa

Discover Orenda Spring Tufa in Saratoga Springs, New York: A beautiful multicolored mound formed by the mineral deposits of the Orenda Spring.

Stone Head of Salaspils

Discover Stone Head of Salaspils in Riga, Latvia: This enigmatic artifact remained buried in a churchyard for years.

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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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