Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I

Discover The Empty Tomb of Maximilian I in Innsbruck, Austria: This splendid tomb may look fantastic, but there's nothing in it…

Smedenpoort Skull

Discover Smedenpoort Skull in Bruges, Belgium: The bronzed skull of a beheaded traitor was affixed to the city gate in the 17th century.

Erbil Citadel

Discover Erbil Citadel in Erbil, Iraq: An ancient fortified mound raised over the millennia from settlements built one on top of the other.

Dragonfly Mosaic

Discover Dragonfly Mosaic in Saint Paul, Minnesota: Thousands of people walk over this fantastic work of art every day, but how many notice it?

Who North America

Discover Who North America in Guilford Township, Indiana: One of the largest collections of merchandise from the famous British sci-fi show can be found smack in the middle of Indiana.

Museum of Miniatures

Discover Museum of Miniatures in Puebla, Mexico: Hidden inside a hotel is a museum of miniature models depicting the traditions and history of Mexico.

Jarbidge Wilderness

Discover Jarbidge Wilderness in Jarbidge, Nevada: One of the most remote spots in America and the first protected wilderness area in Nevada, named after an old legend.

Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Discover Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch in Picacho, Arizona: Take a monster truck tour around an ostrich farm in the middle of the desert.

Camp 18 Restaurant

Discover Camp 18 Restaurant in Elsie, Oregon: A logging-themed roadside restaurant surrounded by museum-quality machinery and artifacts from the industry's heyday.

Naples Underground

Discover Naples Underground in Naples, Italy: A labyrinth of ancient tunnels hidden below the city holds the ruins of 2,500 years of history.

Monument to the Laboratory Mouse

Discover Monument to the Laboratory Mouse in Novosibirsk, Russia: This cuddly rodent has a place of honor at a Russian institute for genetic research.

Salmon/Sterling Nuclear Tests Marker

Discover Salmon/Sterling Nuclear Tests Marker in Lumberton, Mississippi: This largely forgotten piece of Cold War history stands hidden in the woods just north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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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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