Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Convento de la Popa

Discover Convento de la Popa in Cartagena, Colombia: Perched atop the highest hill in Cartagena, this 17th-century convent offers spectacular views of the city.

Fountain of Neptune

Discover Fountain of Neptune in Bologna, Italy: Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

Bazalgette the Whale

Discover Bazalgette the Whale in Yachats, Oregon: There's something big lurking beneath the surface of this tiny Oregon park.

Flushing Town Hall

Discover Flushing Town Hall in Queens, New York: This landmark building is now a vibrant performing arts space with musical acts from around the world.

The Great Vine

Discover The Great Vine in East Molesey, England: The world's largest grapevine has produced a delicious harvest at Hampton Court Palace for almost 250 years.

Chedworth Roman Villa

Discover Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire, England: Deep in the countryside lie the remains of one of the grandest Roman dwellings in Britain.

Aftel Archive of Curious Scents

Discover Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley, California: Nose around a unique collection of more than 300 natural aromas used to craft perfume fragrances.

Espai Verd

Discover Espai Verd in Valencia, Spain: This architectural oddity is an oasis of green on the outskirts of Valencia.

Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center

Discover Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Haines, Alaska: The cultural center preserves the history of the Tlingit tribe, who have lived in this Alaskan village for more than 10,000 years.

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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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