Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Physics of the Sun

Discover Physics of the Sun in Changikhisarak, Uzbekistan: More than 10,000 small mirrors cover the curved surface of the world's second-largest solar oven, located in a remote village in Uzbekistan.

Charlie the Coal Miner

Discover Charlie the Coal Miner in Shinnston, West Virginia: A 21-foot-tall statue of a miner made of scrap metal stands in this West Virginia coal town.

St. Helena Island

Discover St. Helena Island in Manly, Australia: The ruins of Brisbane’s own Alcatraz now sit in the middle of a national park.

Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge)

Discover Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge) in Copenhagen, Denmark: This bridge's unique architecture honors nautical heritage and encourages self-awareness.

Profitis Ilias Monastery

Discover Profitis Ilias Monastery in Hydra, Greece: A hilltop monastery on the Greek island of Hydra.

Josiah Henson Museum & Park

Discover Josiah Henson Museum & Park in North Bethesda, Maryland: The location where the famed author and abolitionist began his journey to freedom.

Prince of Wales Fort

Discover Prince of Wales Fort in Churchill, Manitoba: This former outpost was designed to protect the lucrative fur trade of the 18th century.

Maison de la Colombe

Discover Maison de la Colombe in Paris, France: The site where two doves fell in love.

‘Lucky Chimney Sweeper’

Discover 'Lucky Chimney Sweeper' in Tallinn, Estonia: Rubbing the buttons along this statue's coat is considered good luck.

James Irvine Monument

Discover James Irvine Monument in Peterborough, Australia: Dedicated to a pivotal figure in the region's tourism industry.

Mount Buffalo Chalet

Discover Mount Buffalo Chalet in Mount Buffalo, Australia: A symbol of the early days of skiing in Australia.

Lewes Town Clock

Discover Lewes Town Clock in Lewes, Delaware: Designed to commemorate the founding of the first settlement in Delaware.

Crane Flat Lookout

Discover Crane Flat Lookout in Buema Vista, California: The first lookout in Yosemite.

Slaughter Pen Farm

Discover Slaughter Pen Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia: The site of one of the most deadliest skirmishes during the Battle of Fredricksburg.

Prince of Wales Hotel

Discover Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Park, Alberta: A majestic hotel that also stands as a historic relic.

Tor Caldara

Discover Tor Caldara in Anzio, Italy: An old watchtower from the 16th-century now watches over sulfur springs and one of Lazio's last coastal woodlands.

Babisnauer Pappel

Discover Babisnauer Pappel in Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Deutschland:.

Vega Monument

Discover Vega Monument in Stockholm, Sweden: Celebrating the Swedish ship used in the first Arctic expedition to navigate through the Northeast Passage.

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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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