Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Window of the World

Discover Window of the World in Shenzhen Shi, China: 130 replicas of world wonders squeezed into just 118 acres of space.

The Actual Line in the Sand at the Alamo

Discover Alamo Line in the Sand in San Antonio, Texas: Legend has it the commander of the defenders drew a fateful line in the dirt with his sword just before the final battle.

The Manhattan Eruv

Discover The Manhattan Eruv in New York, New York: This nearly invisible wire transforms much of the city into one big, symbolic home on the holy day.

Museum of the Mummies

Discover Museum of the Mummies in Ferentillo, Italy: Naturally preserved bodies are eerily staged throughout the crypt in varying poses.

The Highlandman’s Umbrella

Discover The Highlandman's Umbrella in Glasgow, Scotland: Displaced highlanders would take shelter from the wet Scottish climate under the large walled bridge at Glasgow Central Station.

Tha Bak Bomb Boats

Discover Tha Bak Bomb Boats in Tha Bak, Laos: Villagers have recycled bomber fuel tanks from the Vietnam War and turned them into very, very strong boats.

The Leaning Tower of Glenfinnan

Discover The Leaning Tower of Glenfinnan in Glenfinnan, Scotland: A close look reveals that the Scottish monument is just slightly off-kilter.

Ford’s Folly

Discover Ford's Folly in Sudbury, Massachusetts: This dam in the woods, built by Henry Ford with only manpower and oxen, holds no water and serves no purpose.

Bongoland Ruins

Discover Bongoland Ruins in Port Orange, Florida: Strange beasts lurking in a garden are all that remain of a quirky, short-lived theme park.

Wat Mahabut

Discover Wat Mahabut in Bangkok, Thailand: A shrine honoring a legendary ghost bride lies within this vibrant temple.

General Laundry Building

Discover General Laundry Building in New Orleans, Louisiana: It's clear this abandoned Art Deco gem was no ordinary cleaners.

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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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