Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

Discover Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey: A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

The ‘Cure Cottages’ of Saranac Lake

Discover Saranac Lake 'Cure Cottages' in Saranac Lake, New York: Dozens of houses in the Adirondack Mountains are reminders of a literal "cottage industry" to cure people of a deadly disease.

Yard Birds Mall

Discover Yard Birds Mall in Chehalis, Washington: A giant roadside black bird marks the location of this eclectic local mall.

World’s Largest Beaver Dam

Discover World's Largest Beaver Dam in Improvement District No. 24, Alberta: The half-mile long structure is so impressive, it even shows up on satellite images.

Fred Hampton Pool

Discover Fred Hampton Pool in Maywood, Illinois: The young Black revolutionary was killed before getting to see a non-segregated pool in his hometown.

The Sacred Bodhi Tree

This ancient fig tree with a link to the Buddha is one of the oldest human-planted trees in the world.

The Birds of Peace

Two identical statues in Colombia, one blown to pieces in a terrorist bombing, the other donated as a gift for peace.

Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

Discover Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe in Aberfoyle, Scotland: This enchanting hill is home to fairy lore and a sinister local mystery.

The Green Mound

Discover The Green Mound in Ponce Inlet, Florida: One of the largest Native American shell middens stands 30 feet tall.

Dr. Gloom’s Crypt of Curiosities

Discover Dr. Gloom's Crypt of Curiosities in Havre de Grace, Maryland: Fiji mermaids, mummified remains, and recreated cryptids are among the morbid oddities at this Maryland museum.

Morin-ji Temple

Discover Morin-ji Temple in Tatebayashi-shi, Japan: This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

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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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