Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Minuteman Missile Visitor Center

Discover Minuteman Missile Visitor Center in Philip, South Dakota: Dedicated to the history of the 1,000 nuclear missiles that once covered the Great Plains.

Johnstone Castle

Discover Johnstone Castle in Johnstone, Scotland: A 16th-century castle unexpectedly nestled within a post-war housing development.

‘Emblem’

Discover 'Emblem' in Brisbane, Australia: A colorful sculpture of an Australian symbol patrols an otherwise ordinary traffic island.

‘Meeting Place’

Discover 'Meeting Place' in Dublin, Ireland: This statue celebrating everyday life in Dublin has a few unsavory nicknames.

The Samurai of Brno

Discover The Samurai of Brno in Brno, Czechia: A peculiar samurai statue overlooks the center of Brno.

‘Le Mur des Canuts’

Discover 'Le Mur des Canuts' in Lyon, France: Lyon's "Wall of the Silk Weavers" is one of the largest murals in Europe.

Davies’ Chuck Wagon Diner

Discover Davies' Chuck Wagon Diner in Lakewood, Colorado: One man's love for East Coast diner culture brought an entire eatery all the way from New Jersey to Colorado.

Museo de la Radio (Radio Museum)

Discover Museo de la Radio (Radio Museum) in Mexico City, Mexico: A Mexico City subway station boasts a hidden museum, complete with a working radio booth.

Plautilla Nelli’s ‘Last Supper’

Discover Plautilla Nelli’s 'Last Supper' in Florence, Italy: More than 450 years ago, an Italian nun became the first woman to paint the iconic subject.

Rhea County Courthouse

Discover Rhea County Courthouse in Dayton, Tennessee: The site of the Scopes Trial contains a small exhibit dedicated to the famous case.

‘Di-Octo II’

Discover 'Di-Octo II' in Montreal, Québec: This mesmerizing kinetic sculpture blossoms endlessly in the breeze.

Gulliver’s Gate

Discover Gulliver's Gate in New York, New York: A quick trip around the globe through an amazing miniature exhibit.

Tholos Tomb of Tiryns

Discover Tholos Tomb of Tiryns in Nea Tiryntha, Greece: Step inside an ancient beehive tomb built for a mysterious cult hero.

Quitobaquito Springs

Discover Quitobaquito Springs in Ajo, Arizona: This oasis-like spring in the Sonoran Desert is home to unique, endangered species.

Derby Boab ‘Prison Tree’

Discover Derby Boab 'Prison Tree' in Derby, Australia: Critics argue this boab tree has been mislabeled for the sake of dark tourism, undermining its spiritual significance.

Mi Pequeño Chinantla

Discover Mi Pequeño Chinantla in Brooklyn, New York: Enter the deli, walk until you hit the taxidermy, then order some hot, homey guisado.

Millennium Bridge Tiny Chewing Gum Art

Discover Millennium Bridge Tiny Chewing Gum Art in London, England: The bridge is a secret gallery of discarded gum that has been transformed into miniature masterpieces.

Topsy the Clown

Discover Topsy the Clown in Reno, Nevada: This beloved roadside attraction welcomes visitors with his signature neon smile.

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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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