Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Carcass Beach

Discover Carcass Beach in Calipatria, California: At this deceptively beautiful beach, nothing is what it seems.

The Executioner’s Ax

Discover The Executioner's Ax in London, England: Tucked away in the Tower of London is the weapon once used to execute high-profile prisoners.

World’s End Close

Discover World's End Close in Edinburgh, Scotland: This otherwise ordinary close on the Royal Mile constituted the end of the world for Edinburgh’s poorest residents.

Kamnik

Discover Kamnik in Slovenia: This small Slovenian town has become a magnet for microbreweries.

Lake Turkana

Discover Lake Turkana in Kenya: The world’s largest permanent desert lake is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Capuchin Monkeys of Manduri

Discover The Capuchin Monkeys of Manduri in Manduri, Brazil: In the Manduri reserve of Sao Paulo, you can see the endangered black-horned capuchin monkey up close.

Sunnylands

Discover Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, California: You don't have to be a diplomat to visit the so-called Camp David of the West.

Martyrs’ Memorial

Discover Martyrs' Memorial in Algiers, Algeria: This massive monument towers over the city as a constant reminder of the lives lost during Algeria's hard-won war for independence.

The New Central Library

Discover The New Central Library in Calgary, Alberta: The New Central Library is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture in the midst of downtown Calgary.

Portland Art & Learning Studio

Discover Portland Art & Learning Studio in Portland, Oregon: This Portland Art gallery doubles as a studio that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Jambay Lhakhang

Discover Jambay Lhakhang in Jakar, Bhutan: According to legend, this temple was built to pin down the body of a demoness who lay across the Himalayas.

Museum of Edinburgh

Discover Museum of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland: This 16th-century house tells the city's history through old artifacts and quirky tales.

Mosque of the Divinity

Discover Mosque of the Divinity in Dakar, Senegal: This unique religious structure is an architectural gem with arresting ocean views.

Old Navarino Castle

Discover Old Navarino Castle in Messinia, Greece: Ruins of a 13th-century fortress perched above a breathtaking Mediterranean bay.

Katarina Elevator

Discover Katarina Elevator in Stockholm, Sweden: This gem from the industrial age helps visitors and residents alike traverse hilly Stockholm.

Hobart Book Village

Discover Hobart Book Village in Hobart, New York: This small Catskills village has six independent bookstores and more bookshops than restaurants.

Tombs of the Nobles

Discover Tombs of the Nobles in Abu AR Rish Qebli, Egypt: A network of ancient Egyptian tombs built into the cliff face along the Nile.

Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine

Discover Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine in Qom, Iran: One of the holiest Shi'i shrines in Iran honors the life and death of a learned noblewoman who became a saint.

Dhow Factory of Sur

Discover Dhow Factory of Sur in Sur, Oman: Where artisans use centuries-old techniques to build traditional Arabian ships.

The Burning Lake

Discover The Burning Lake in Bhutan: Legend has it a sacred treasure hidden by an ancient guru was revealed with a burning butter lamp from these waters.

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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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