Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Mark Twain’s Grave

Discover Mark Twain's Grave in Elmira, New York: The little-known final resting place of one of America's greatest writers.

Plaza Botero

Discover Plaza Botero in Medellín, Colombia: Home to 23 voluptuous and instantly lovable sculptures by one of Latin America's most celebrated artists.

Tholos Tomb of Menidi

Discover Tholos Tomb of Menidi in Acharnes, Greece: This beehive tomb built for royalty sat hidden for over 3,000 years.

Hygieostatic Bat Roost

Discover Hygieostatic Bat Roost in Comfort, Texas: This unique tower has been home to malaria-fighting bats for 100 years.

Mausoleum of José de San Martín

Discover Mausoleum of José de San Martín in San Nicolas, Argentina: The final resting place of the liberator of Argentina is guarded around the clock by two soldiers.

Sri Lanka Planetarium

Discover Sri Lanka Planetarium in Colombo, Sri Lanka: The first and only planetarium in Sri Lanka.

The Former U.S. Embassy to South Vietnam

Discover The Former U.S. Embassy to South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: This historic spot was where America's involvement in the Vietnam War officially came to an end.

Chợ Lớn Mosque

Discover Chợ Lớn Mosque in Quận 5, Vietnam: One of Vietnam's only mosques pays tribute to the country's Muslim minority.

Rowtor Rocks

Discover Rowtor Rocks in Derbyshire, England: This mysterious hilltop collection of Druid carvings isn't quite what it seems.

The Magen David Synagogue

Discover The Magen David Synagogue in Mumbai, India: In Mumbai, a bright blue synagogue is the largest one for the Baghdadi Jewish community in Asia.

Pasaje Lanín

Discover Pasaje Lanín in Barracas, Argentina: A vibrant street away from the typical tourist track, lined with colorful, mosaic-covered houses.

Valley of the Drums

Discover Valley of the Drums in Brooks, Kentucky: This calm grassy field was once a Superfund site full of thousands of nasty chemicals.

Phsar Thmei (Central Market)

Discover Phsar Thmei (Central Market) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia: One of the biggest markets in Asia, under one of the continent's largest domes.

Gilbert Hill

Discover Gilbert Hill in Mumbai, India: A 66-million-year-old rock formation stands tall over Mumbai, offering stellar city views.

Villa de Leyva

Discover Villa de Leyva in Villa de Leyva, Colombia: This colonial town in Colombia sits around the largest stone paved square in South America.

‘Why Go Bald’ Sign

Discover ‘Why Go Bald’ Sign in Dublin, Ireland: This neon landmark has been posing this deadpan question to follicly-challenged Dubliners for over 50 years.

Mowbray Park Walrus

Discover Mowbray Park Walrus in Tyne and Wear, England: This lonely bronze walrus celebrates a character in a Lewis Carroll poem.

Temple of Apollo Zoster

Discover Temple of Apollo Zoster in Vouliagmeni, Greece: These ruins of a sacred Ancient Greek temple stand next to a luxurious modern resort.

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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

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