Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Blake’s Cottage

Discover Blake's Cottage in Bognor Regis, England: Poet William Blake penned some of his most famous work during his brief stay at this beloved country cottage.

Cox’s Bazar Beach

Discover Cox's Bazar Beach in Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh: One of the longest natural sand beaches in the world.

The Fez Mellah

Discover The Fez Mellah in Fez, Morocco: The designated Jewish quarter in Fez dates back to the 15th century.

‘The Shadow Boxer’ at Chancellor House

Discover ‘The Shadow Boxer’ at Chancellor House in Johannesburg, South Africa: A large-scale steel sculpture entitled 'The Shadow Boxer' pays tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Borj Nord Arms Museum

Discover Borj Nord Arms Museum in Fez, Morocco: This 16th-century Moroccan fortress-turned-armory museum offers prime views of the historic quarter in Fes.

Spitfire LA198

Discover Spitfire LA198 in Glasgow, Scotland: An icon of the Battle of Britain is frozen in flight in a grand Victorian museum.

BMike’s Studio Be

Discover BMike's Studio Be in New Orleans, Louisiana: An abandoned warehouse turned art sanctuary in New Orleans.

Glehn Park

Discover Glehn Park in Tallinn, Estonia: A forest park outside Tallinn full of architectural and artistic curiosities.

Le Jardin des Vestiges

Discover Le Jardin des Vestiges in Marseille, France: This garden houses the remains of the ancient Greek port of Marseille.

Doi Tung Trenches

Discover Doi Tung Trenches in Tambon Pong Ngam, Thailand: The Thai Army has dug deep trenches along the Thai/Myanmar border to prevent drug smuggling.

Jupiter Artland

Discover Jupiter Artland in Wilkieston, Scotland: Large-scale contemporary artworks tower over fields and lurk in forests around a Jacobean manor house.

Bwabwata National Park

Discover Bwabwata National Park in Namibia: Known as "The People's Park," this verdant oasis is home to elephants and villagers alike.

Saint James the Apostle Church

Discover Saint James the Apostle Church in Temple Normanton, England: A unique 1980s designed church sits uncomfortably in its traditional Victorian churchyard.

Inverleith House

Discover Inverleith House in Edinburgh, Scotland: Once home to a Scottish baronet, this 18th-century historic house doubles as a legendary art space.

The Elvis Shrine Vault

Discover The Elvis Shrine Vault in Atlanta, Georgia: An old bank vault in Atlanta is now the eternal shrine to the King of Rock and Roll.

Center for Puppetry Arts

Discover Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia: The largest puppetry museum in the USA houses the world's most complete collection of Jim Henson artifacts.

Lego Nordic Optical Telescope

Discover Lego Nordic Optical Telescope in Breña Baja, Spain: A detailed 1:32 scale model of Scandinavia's largest telescope.

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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

PP ToS