Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Fed’s Tennis Court

Discover Federal Reserve Tennis Court in Washington, D.C.: The only tennis court that falls under the jurisdiction of the central bank.

Lyndhurst Bowling Alley

Discover Lyndhurst Bowling Alley in Tarrytown, New York: One of the earliest bowling lanes in the U.S. doubled as a sewing school during a time when women had little job opportunity.

The Cursed Chambal River

Discover Chambal River in Jajepura, India: An ancient curse kept humans from living on the water, and now it's brimming with rare wildlife and is one of the most pristine rivers in India.

Fairy Houses of Mendon Ponds Park

Discover Fairy Houses of Mendon Ponds Park in Honeoye Falls, New York: An unassuming nature trail winds through dozens of tiny houses built for the wee people.

A Tiny Synagogue on Cayman Brac

Built by a man as a present for his Jewish wife, Temple Beth Shalom is one of the smallest and most charming Jewish temples around.

Gotokuji Temple

Discover Gotokuji Temple in Tokyo, Japan: The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

The Nook Basement

Discover The Nook Basement in Saint Paul, Minnesota: The basement bowling alley of this St. Paul dive bar is decorated with thousands of dollar bills.

World’s Largest Puffin Colony

Discover World's Largest Puffin Colony in Heimaey, Iceland: Every summer local children form "pysja patrols" to save young birds that have wandered from their nests.

Corfu British Cemetery

Discover Corfu British Cemetery in Kerkira, Greece: The Greek island's old British cemetery feels like a forgotten garden.

Fort Washington

Discover Fort Washington in Fort Washington, Maryland: This fort down the Potomac from Washington, D.C. was once the only defensive fort protecting the capital.

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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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