Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Rochester Lilac Festival

Discover Rochester Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York: One of the largest festivals of flowers in North America takes place, appropriately, in the Flower City.

Bartolini Hall of Models

Discover Gipsoteca Bartolini in Florence, Italy: A slightly creepy gallery of plaster cast models in the same museum as Michelangelo's David.

The Vicious Stone

Discover Stray Boulder (Bludný Kámen) in České Budějovice, Czechia: Locals say the stone that marks the spot where the gallows once stood can lead you astray.

Bazaar of Kashan

Discover Bazaar of Kashan in Kashan, Iran: A historic trade hub teeming with gorgeous architecture, colorful goods, and vibrant designs.

Puig Castellar

Discover Puig Castellar in Montcada i Reixac, Spain: Remote ruins of a 2,400-year-old Iberian settlement.

Åtvidaberg Sun Cannon

Discover Åtvidaberg Sun Cannon in Åtvidaberg, Sweden: In the town of Åtvidaberg, the midday sun sets off a loud cannon boom.

Spittal Pond Nature Reserve

Discover Spittal Pond Nature Reserve in Smith's, Bermuda: Where a rare geological phenomenon created a section of rock that resembles a checkerboard.

James Bond Island

Discover Ko Ta Pu (James Bond Island) in ambon Kalai, Thailand: A tall karst islet popularized by 007.

Oakland’s 1920s Cascade Stairway

Discover Cleveland Cascade in Oakland, California: A restored 1920s cascade stairway provides one of the best views of Oakland's Lake Merritt.

Tomb of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas

Discover Tomb of Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqas in Guangzhou, China: A shrine to the missionary who first brought Islam to China.

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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