Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Where The Wild Things Heal

New York City's only wildlife rehabilitation center treats more than 3,000 feathered and furry patients each year.

Pigs Aloft Museum

Discover Pigs Aloft Museum in Linn, Missouri: The only pig museum in the U.S. holds one of the world's largest collections of pig items.

Sculptures de Décure

Discover Sculptures de Décure in Paris, France: Exquisite wall sculptures carved in secret by an early quarryman in an obscure corner of the Paris Catacombs.

Neon Alley of Wroclaw

Discover Neon Side Gallery in Wrocław, Poland: A collection of old neon signs from all over Poland line a secluded courtyard.

Chinese Community Bulletin Board

Discover Chinese Community Bulletin Board in Seattle, Washington: In the absence of a Chinese-language newspaper, for years the community posted daily updates on this simple bulletin board.

Feast of Giants Bus Stop

Discover Hostina Obrů (Feast of Giants) in Liberec, Czechia: An unusual bronze bus shelter is actually an art installation commenting on the city's history with the Nazi party.

Fish Bowl Spring

Discover Fish Bowl Spring in Golden Valley, Arizona: A secret fresh water spring for animals and humans alike hidden along the most famous road in the United States.

Kuza Cave

The pools within the cave are so clear and still it's hard to tell where the water begins.

A Secret Shrine to Tea in Death Valley

Discover Teakettle Junction in Inyo County, California: Travelers leave tea kettles in a remote part of Death Valley as part of a mysterious, decades-old tradition.

John Muir’s Birthplace

Discover John Muir's Birthplace in Dunbar, Scotland: The small Scottish townhouse where the "Father of the National Parks" was born.

‘The Nuba Survival’

Discover 'The Nuba Survival' in Oxfordshire, England: In an isolated field near a dilapidated barn stands this chilling portrayal of the plight of the Nuba peoples of Sudan.

Hidden Royal Waiting Hall

Discover Royal Waiting Hall in Stockholm, Sweden: Although rarely used, there is still a hidden room for the royal family at the Stockholm central station.

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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