Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Beware of Words

Discover Beware of Words in Paris, France: A French artist's vague warning hangs over Belleville.

Floating Gardens of Inle Lake

Discover Floating Gardens of Inle Lake in Taunggyi, Myanmar (Burma): A series of tiny artificial islands rich with produce bob atop the surface of the lake.

The First Oddities Shop in Saint Paul

Discover Studio Payne Art Gallery and Oddities Shop in Saint Paul, Minnesota: Admire the art and then buy a raccoon skull cleaned by flesh-eating beetles.

‘Danbury Crowns Them All’ Sign

Discover 'Danbury Crowns Them All' Sign in Danbury, Connecticut: A jewel of early electric boosterism once again charms Connecticut's historic "Hat City.".

The Extinct Town of Schirwindt

Discover The Extinct Town of Schirwindt in Kudirkos Naumiestis, Lithuania: You would never guess that before World War II this lonely field was a bustling German city.

Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls

Discover Monroe Street Bridge Bison Skulls in Spokane, Washington: The decorations were inspired by an unlikely missing treasure.

First FDR Memorial

Discover First FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C.: One of the most influential presidents in U.S. history wanted only this plain, elegant monument as his lasting memorial.

Abigail Adams’ Grave

Discover Abigail Adams' Grave in Quincy, Massachusetts: The nation's second-ever First Lady urged the founding fathers to "remember the ladies.".

George Washington Bust in George, WA

Discover George Washington Bust in George, WA in George, Washington: A bust of the first president welcomes visitors to the only town in America called George, Washington.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 260 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. 474 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. 499 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. 633 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. 135 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. 167 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). 252 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 148 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. 96 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. 166

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