Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Secret Compartment in Leonardo da Vinci Statue

Discover Secret Compartment in Leonardo da Vinci Statue in Fiumicino, Italy: A secret hatch containing two parchments was discovered in this statue over 40 years after its installation.

Grave of Mr. Barbo

Discover Grave of Mr. Barbo in Manchester, Vermont: An unexpected canine grave atop a mountain.

Museum of Woodcarving

Discover Museum of Woodcarving in Shell Lake, Wisconsin: The world's largest woodcarving collection includes dozens of Bible scenes and a wooden bestiary, all carved by one man.

Nant Gwrtheyrn

Discover Nant Gwrtheyrn in Llithfaen, Wales: An abandoned quarrying village turned commune is now a hub for learning the Welsh language.

Maria Reiche Museum

Discover Maria Reiche Museum in Nazca, Peru: A museum dedicated to the German scientist who revealed the significance of the mysterious Peruvian Nazca Lines.

The Pink Lake of Torrevieja

Discover The Pink Lake of Torrevieja in Torrevieja, Spain: Bacteria and algae give the salty water its bubblegum hue.

‘Birthplace of Dixie’ Plaque

Discover 'Birthplace of Dixie' Plaque in New Orleans, Louisiana: The South's nickname was supposedly born at a former bank in New Orleans' French Quarter.

The Rocker Grandma

Discover The Rocker Grandma in Madrid, Spain: This amazing abuela became a diehard metal fan late in life and an icon of Madrid's '80s rock scene.

Auto Hawk

Discover Auto Hawk in Albuquerque, New Mexico: A sculpture of a flying hawk made from colorful car doors.

A Kaleidoscopic Bob Dylan Mural

Discover The Times They Are A-Changin' in Minneapolis, Minnesota: This kaleidoscopic mural shows Bob Dylan throughout his transition from young troubadour to Nobel laureate.

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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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