Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Purgatory Church

The macabre symbols of death and mummies on display are meant to reaffirm the concept of purgatory.

Nelson’s Courtyard

Discover Nelson's Courtyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia: A surreal pile of colorful junk fills a small yard in an otherwise gray neighborhood.

The First Press Club in Pakistan

Discover Karachi Press Club in Karachi, Pakistan: The headquarters of Pakistan's first press club remains a haven for debate and discussion.

Ticket to the USSR

Discover Ticket to the USSR in Moscow, Russia: This small museum is basically a time capsule of daily life in the Soviet Union.

The Unmarked Graves of Paco Cemetery

Discover Paco Park Cemetery in Manila, Philippines: The cemetery was built for the Spanish colonial elite, but its most famous residents were all buried in unmarked graves.

Ruins of the Columbian Cannon Foundry

Discover Ruins of the Columbian Cannon Foundry in Washington, D.C.: These recently uncovered walls are all that's left of Washington, D.C's first defense contractor.

Museum of Rescued Letters

Discover Buchstabenmuseum in Berlin, Germany: A collection of abandoned typographic signs from Berlin and beyond.

Guanche Mummy of Madrid

Discover Guanche Mummy of Madrid in Madrid, Spain: This embalmed man is one of the best preserved mummies from the Canary Islands.

Albi Cathedral

Discover Albi Cathedral in Albi, France: A medieval church with largest and oldest collection of Renaissance frescoes in France.

The Ceramics of Manises

Exquisite tiles cover the surfaces of the Spanish town, which was once known for its ceramics.

The Abandoned Galleon

Discover The Abandoned Galleon in Deyme, France: The deserted pirate-themed restaurant still entices explorers.

Sake Dean Mahomed Plaque

Discover Sake Dean Mahomed Plaque in London, England: The "shampooer of kings" who opened London's first curry cafe was a celebrity in the 19th century, but is all but forgotten now.

Toy Train Barn

Discover Toy Train Barn in Argyle, Wisconsin: A former barn converted into a massive train diorama.

Sunken Lanes of Dorset

The ancient roads were naturally tunneled into the soft ground by countless footsteps.

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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

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