Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Great Refractor of Potsdam

Discover Großer Refraktor (Great Refractor) in Potsdam, Germany: The first telescope built specifically for doing astrophysics is still the fourth-largest lensed telescope today.

Sault Canal Locks

Discover Sault Canal Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario: Beautiful scenery, history, science, and physics come together in this remnant of shipping lore.

Nogales Cliff House

Discover Nogales Cliff House in Lindrith, New Mexico: A rare memento of a lost Indigenous group.

Lu Xun Memorial Park

Discover Lu Xun Memorial Park in Shanghai, China: The histories of modern Chinese literature and anti-Japanese resistance collide in this Shanghai park.

Big Bunker

Discover Big Bunker in Palasë, Albania: Climb into Albania's communist history while enjoying a spectacular ocean view.

The Writers Chair

Discover The Writers Chair in Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland: Designed to inspire artists visiting the island.

The Black Castle

Discover The Black Castle in South Queensferry, Scotland: This severely painted building has a twisted connection to the witch hunts of the 1640s.

Miyamoto-Unosuke Drum Museum

Discover Miyamoto-Unosuke Drum Museum in Tokyo, Japan: Home to a collection of drums from around the world that allow visitors to play a tune.

Jam Up Cave

Discover Jam Up Cave in Mountain View, Missouri: The largest riverfront opening cave in the Ozarks.

Lake McDonald

Discover Lake McDonald in West Glacier, Montana: Spectacular views await visitors to this lake.

The Great Fourstone

Discover The Great Fourstone in Lancaster, England: A massive glacial deposit that includes a carved staircase to reach the top.

Farol da Ponta dos Rosais

Discover Farol da Ponta dos Rosais in São Jorge, Portugal: On the cliffs of São Jorge in the Azores stand the remains of a lighthouse that was struck by a series of earthquakes.

Basalt plug

Discover Basalt plug in Mono City, California:.

Paul Revere Capture Site

Discover Paul Revere Capture Site in Lincoln, Massachusetts: This location holds the truth to what truly happened that faithful night.

Rising Sun Revolving Door

Discover Rising Sun Revolving Door in Yokohama, Japan: At the time of its construction, this type of door was nearly unheard of.

La Trobe Swing Bridge

Discover La Trobe Swing Bridge in Sale, Australia: The La Trobe Swing Bridge was the first movable bridge constructed in Victoria.

Alux House at San Pedro Hotel

Discover Alux House at San Pedro Hotel in Playa del Carmen, Mexico: It might look like a doghouse, but this small structure was actually built to house a spirit from Maya mythology.

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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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