Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Tunnels of Traverse City State Hospital

Discover Tunnels of Traverse City State Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan: A subterranean world of tunnels links several buildings of this rare 19th-century asylum.

Roque de los Muchachos

Discover Roque de los Muchachos in La Palma, Spain: A series of well-preserved ruins show the culture of the ancient Benehoaritas people.

The BMW

Discover The BMW in Rotterdam, Netherlands: A dramatic art installation features a BMW flying out of a building in Rotterdam.

Dashkasan Dragon Temple

Discover Dashkasan Dragon Temple in Viyar, Iran: Two Chinese dragons guard the caves of this medieval temple in Iran.

The Hjaltadans Stone Circle

Discover The Hjaltadans Stone Circle in Fetlar, Scotland: On a remote island, legend has it that a fiddler and his wife were turned to stone.

Mavi Köşk (The Blue House)

Discover Mavi Köşk (The Blue House) in Myrtou, Cyprus: The eccentric midcentury home of a suspected mafia gun-runner.

Sendai Daikannon

Discover Sendai Daikannon in Sendai-shi, Japan: One of the tallest statues in the world, and the tallest statue of a goddess in Japan.

Amiens Cathedral Labyrinth

Discover Amiens Cathedral Labyrinth in Amiens, France: A sublime medieval path adorns the marble floor of one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in France.

Gamla Riksarkivet Lift

Discover Gamla Riksarkivet Lift in Stockholm, Sweden: Sweden's first electric elevator remains hidden within a fortress-like building.

Toss for the Cross

Discover Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs, Florida: Every January 6, young men dive into Spring Bayou in search of a cross and a year's worth of maritime blessings.

Smith Island

Discover Smith Island in Smith Island, Maryland: An isolated island home to one of the oldest English-speaking communities in the region and Maryland's state dessert.

Concrete Traffic

Discover Concrete Traffic in Chicago, Illinois: An actual 1957 Cadillac De Ville, encased in 15 cubic yards of concrete.

Bakkerssteeg Street Sign

Discover Bakkerssteeg Street Sign in Leiden, Netherlands: This century-old street sign is a forgotten remnant of the old city.

Calgary’s Utility Box Art

Discover Calgary's Utility Box Art in Calgary, Alberta: Decorated by local artists, the city's utility boxes have become three-dimensional canvases.

Monument to the Fallen Partisan Alpinists

Discover Monument to the Fallen Partisan Alpinists in Mojstrana, Slovenia: The monument honors the mountaineers who were part of Europe’s best anti-Nazi forces.

Hero Street USA

Discover Hero Street USA in Silvis, Illinois: Lined with plaques and tributes to veterans, this patriotic street was founded by Mexican immigrants.

Tswaing Meteorite Crater

Discover Tswaing Meteorite Crater in Soshanguve, South Africa: An ancient impact crater on the outskirts of Pretoria.

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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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