Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Rushen Abbey

Discover Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla, Isle of Man: Centuries after this 12th-century abbey had fallen to ruin, it became known for the strawberries and cream served in its gardens.

Elphinstone Tower

Discover Elphinstone Tower in Dunmore, Scotland: Built in the 16th century, the tower is now in ruins.

Captain Thunderbolt Statue

Discover Captain Thunderbolt Statue in Uralla, Australia: The last of the bushrangers in New South Wales.

76th Street Subway Station

Discover 76th Street Subway Station in Queens, New York: Out of a labyrinth of abandoned tunnels and stops, this Queens subway station is arguably the most mysterious—if it exists at all.

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art

Discover Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art in Staten Island, New York: The collection is exhibited in a Staten Island building modeled on traditional Himalayan architecture.

The Hidden South Confessional

Discover The Hidden South Confessional in Arabi, Louisiana: Inside this art and oddity-filled shop, a small room filled with secrets.

Duddo Five Stones

Discover Duddo Five Stones in Duddo, England: There were once more than five stones in this ancient monument.

Chirori the Therapy Dog

Discover Chirori the Therapy Dog in Tokyo, Japan: A touching statue dedicated to Japan's first therapy dog.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Discover Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, India: Inside this Darjeeling museum, you can see a pair of boots that once stood at the top of the world.

The Bywater Museum of Unnatural History

Discover The Bywater Museum of Unnatural History in New Orleans, Louisiana: Professional and amateur dioramas, taxidermy, and oddities all located in an attic above a gallery.

Borugak Jagyeongnu

Discover Borugak Jagyeongnu in Jeong-dong, South Korea: A ancient striking water clock, in both senses of the word.

Madame Chapeau Sculpture

Discover Madame Chapeau Sculpture in Brussels, Belgium: A bronze statue of the fictional character nicknamed "Mrs. Hat" from a beloved Belgian comedy.

Tarra Falls

Discover Tarra Falls in Tarra Valley, Australia: A waterfall rushing through a lush fern gully in Australia's Tarra-Bulga National Park.

St Catherine’s Passage

Discover St Catherine's Passage in Tallinn, Estonia: A medieval setting reimagined into a unique art alley.

Green Thumb

Discover Green Thumb in Yokohama, Japan: Home to herbal cosmetics, teas, and a unique set of dolls known as kitchen witches.

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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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