Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Paredones

Discover The Paredones in Nazca, Peru: These overlooked ruins give an intimate look at the Inca Empire's urban planning prowess.

Brooklands Racetrack Remains

Discover Brooklands Racetrack Remains in Weybridge, England: The world's first purpose-built motor racetrack was destroyed by the outbreak of two world wars.

Larne Museum and Arts Centre

Discover Larne Museum and Arts Centre in Larne, Northern Ireland: Artifacts and exhibits tell the story of a small town that has punched above its weight and influenced history.

Pulpit Rock Tower

Discover Pulpit Rock Tower in Rye, New Hampshire: The only one of New Hampshire's original 14 World War II watchtowers to survive in near-original condition.

Sigurdsristningen (Sigurd Carving)

Discover Sigurdsristningen (Sigurd Carving) in Eskilstuna, Sweden: Stone carvings record the Norse myth of Sigurd, providing a glimpse into Scandinavia's transition from paganism to Christianity.

Phoenician Ships of Mazarrón

Discover Phoenician Ships of Mazarrón in Puerto de Mazarrón, Spain: Two 2,500-year-old Phoenician boats found on the coast of Spain, giving incredible insight into the ancient maritime traders.

Apothecary Hall

Discover Apothecary Hall in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: An old drug store full of mortars and pestles, pill-making machines, and medicines reputed to cure most any illness.

Monument to a Century of Flight

Discover Monument to a Century of Flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: Down the road from where the Wright brothers lifted off is another flight tribute practically hidden from sight in the woods.

Rocky Mountain Land Library

Discover Rocky Mountain Land Library in Fairplay, Colorado: This 19th-century ranch is being transformed into a residential library with thousands of books about the natural world.

Edward Lear’s Grave

Discover Edward Lear's Grave in Sanremo, Italy: There once was a man named Lear / Who found limericks so dear / His final resting space / Is an unusual place / Most people don’t know he’s here.

Goldsboro Nuclear Mishap

Discover Goldsboro Nuclear Mishap in Eureka, North Carolina: A sign marks the plane crash that caused two nuclear bombs to fall in North Carolina.

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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