Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Great Train Story Diorama

Discover Great Train Story Diorama in Chicago, Illinois: This $3 million model train takes you through Chicago, Seattle, and the thousands of miles in between.

Kharānaq

Discover Kharānaq in Iran: The tower in this 1,000-year-old mud-brick village seems to vibrate for no apparent reason.

Werawsana Jade Pagoda

Discover Werawsana Jade Pagoda in Kyaukse, Myanmar (Burma): The tower claims to be the world's only pagoda made entirely from Myanmar's lucrative gemstone.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Grave

Discover Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Grave in Bronx, New York: A monument stands to the famous suffragist who penned the declaration for women's equal rights, including the right to vote.

Norber Erratics

Discover Norber Erratics in North Yorkshire, England: A group of glacial erratic boulders are improbably balanced on white limestone pedestals.

Field of Cairns

Good luck cairns stretch across the Icelandic landscape like mini mountains.

Keweenaw Rocket Range

Discover Keweenaw Rocket Range in Copper Harbor, Michigan: The site where Michigan launched its first rocket into space lies abandoned in the dense woods along Lake Superior.

Madava Farms at Crown Maple

Discover Madava Farms at Crown Maple in Dover Plains, New York: The second largest maple syrup producer in the U.S. runs a high-tech operation.

Museum of Human Evolution

Discover Museum of Human Evolution in Burgos, Spain: This remarkable museum sprung from one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites in the world.

Ianto’s Shrine

Discover Ianto's Shrine in Cardiff, Wales: An impromptu shrine appeared shortly after beloved "Torchwood" character Ianto Jones was killed off the show.

The Upended Tram

Discover Raising the Rattler Pole in Melbourne, Australia: Not the result of an accident, hurricane, or aliens, this is an eye-popping tribute to the Melbourne tram.

Treehouse Point

Discover Treehouse Point in Issaquah, Washington: A whimsical village of unique treehouses resides in a Washington forest.

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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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