Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Karosta North Pier

Discover Karosta North Pier in Liepāja, Latvia: The mile-long pier stretches from a ruined fortress out into the Baltic.

Christchurch Basilica

Discover Christchurch Basilica in Christchurch, New Zealand: The ruins of New Zealand's largest classical-style church.

Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Discover Machrie Moor Standing Stones in Machrie, Scotland: More stones than Stonehenge, all scattered within a windswept landscape sure to enchant 'Outlander' fans.

Fountain of Dogs

Discover Fountain of Dogs in Bilbao, Spain: This 19th-century fountain's namesake animal isn't what you think it is.

Rosita’s Bridge

Discover Rosita's Bridge in San Antonio, Texas: An ivy-covered arch bridge dedicated to Tejano music singer and legend Rosita Fernandez.

Richmond Castle in Kalutara

Discover Richmond Castle in Kalutara in Kalutara, Sri Lanka: This palatial, 99-doored Colonial mansion is a marvel of architectural fusion.

Museum of the House Cat

Discover American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, North Carolina: This vast kitty-themed collection illustrates the history of human-cat interaction.

Southwold Jack

Discover Southwold Jack in Southwold, England: Keep a lookout for replicas of this wooden soldier hiding in plain sight all around town.

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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

PP ToS