Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Nazi Rocket Test Site

Discover Nazi Rocket Test Site in Leba, Poland: This open-air museum was originally a World War II testing ground for German missiles and rockets.

Where Shute Fell

Discover Where Shute Fell in Stoneham, Massachusetts: This headstone-like marker inscribed with three words has been an utter mystery for over a century.

Rectory Nurseries

Discover Rectory Nurseries in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England: Quirky outsider art transforms this garden shop into a little stone fantasyland.

Misalera Devil’s Bridge

Discover Ponte da Misarela (Misalera Bridge) in Montalegre, Portugal: Local lore says the devil built this beautiful medieval bridge to help a fleeing bandit.

Kiipsaare Leaning Lighthouse

Discover Kiipsaare Lighthouse in Saaremaa, Estonia: Once standing on solid ground, this slender beacon is a victim of the very shoreline it was charged with announcing.

Springfield Doughnut

Discover Springfield Doughnut in Springfield, New Zealand: A giant doughnut was given to the small New Zealand town of Springfield to promote "The Simpsons Movie.".

Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse

Discover Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse in Ponta do Pargo, Portugal: Portugal’s highest lighthouse has one of the most impressive focal planes in the world.

Okishima Cat Island

Home to the descendants of exiled samurai, the island is also so full of felines it's called the "Town of Cats."

Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Factory

Discover Huy Fong Foods Sriracha Factory in Irwindale, California: Fans of the spicy bright-red sauce can tour where it's made.

Sweny’s Pharmacy

Discover Sweny's Pharmacy in Dublin, Ireland: The 19th-century pharmacy (now a used bookstore) was featured in James Joyce’s "Ulysses," and has changed very little to this day.

Taiyo Park

Discover Taiyo Park in Himeji, Japan: A remote and slightly overgrown park filled with replicas of world landmarks.

Steamship Yavari

Discover Steamship Yavari in Qullaw pruwinsya, Peru: The 19th-century vessel floats proudly on Lake Titicaca, but its journey from Britain to the Peruvian altiplano was far from smooth sailing.

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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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