Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Chichen Itza Chirp

The Mayan pyramid echoes the song of a sacred bird when you clap your hands at the base.

Manitoga

Discover Manitoga in Garrison, New York: This sprawling woodland estate was the brainchild of iconic American industrial designer Russel Wright.

Maned Wolves of Santuário do Caraça

Discover Maned Wolves of Santuário do Caraça in Catas Altas, Brazil: This neo-Gothic monastery offers a rare chance to witness the unique maned wolf right up close.

Caos Bar & Antiguidades

Discover Caos Bar & Antiguidades in São Paulo, Brazil: Half curiosity cabinet, half late night hotspot, this Brazilian bar is helping turn a dangerous neighborhood around.

Fountain of Union

Discover Fountain of Union in Bratislava, Slovakia: The largest fountain in Bratislava.

Terra Encantada (Enchanted Land)

Discover Terra Encantada (Enchanted Land) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Plagued by riots, celebrity injuries and a tragic death, this amusement park has been demolished.

Former World’s Tallest Lego Tower

Discover Former World's Tallest Lego Tower in São Paulo, Brazil: Many cities have held the title, but Brazil snatched the crown from Chile in 2011.

Hidden Madonna Altar

Discover Hidden Madonna Altar in Ubatuba, Brazil: A secret Virgin Mary tucked away on a Brazilian beach.

World’s Longest Street

Discover World's Longest Street in Uruará, Brazil: Lined with houses the entire length, this street stretches for 311 miles.

Leaning Towers of Santos

Discover Leaning Towers of Santos in Santos, Brazil: Something about this Brazilian city is slightly askew… literally.

São Paulo Pedestrian Signal Lights

Discover São Paulo Pedestrian Signal Lights in São Paulo, Brazil: The pedestrian traffic signals in Brazil's teeming metropolis light up with clues to nearby landmarks.

New Jerusalem Theater

Discover New Jerusalem Theater in Brejo da Madre de Deus, Brazil: World's largest open air theater spans 24 acres and hosts a massive recreation of the Passion of Christ.

Bangu Statue of Liberty

Discover Bangu Statue of Liberty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: This Brazilian Lady Liberty is one of the few replicas that was actually made by the original designer.

Mundo a Vapor

Discover Mundo a Vapor in Canela, Brazil: This attraction is devoted to the wonders of steam power and features a replica of one of its most public disasters.

Fritz Müller Ecology Museum

Discover Fritz Müller Ecology Museum in Blumenau, Brazil: This small Brazilian museum honors the work of a German biologist who studied the jungles for decades.

Surfing the Amazon

Discover Surfing the Amazon in São Domingos do Capim, Brazil: Once a year, ambitious surfers can ride the world's largest river.

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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