Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Horse Collar Arch

Discover Horse Collar Arch in Bedrock, Colorado: A unique arch graces the Dolores River Canyon near the Hanging Flume.

The Houdini Estate

Discover The Houdini Estate in Los Angeles, California: A master of deception, Harry Houdini's greatest trick may have been living in two places at once.

The First Grave of René Descartes

Discover The First Grave of René Descartes in Stockholm, Sweden: Inside this church, a monument honors the first burial site of the famed philosopher.

Attabad Lake

Discover Attabad Lake in Hunza Nagar, Pakistan: This dazzlingly turquoise mountain lake was created in the wake of a natural disaster.

Jemez Springs Soda Dam

Discover Jemez Springs Soda Dam in Jemez Springs, New Mexico: The 7,000-year-old calcium carbonate formation creates a magnificent natural bridge.

‘The Musselburgh Archer’

Discover 'The Musselburgh Archer' in Musselburgh, Scotland: A sculpture dedicated to the Roman history steeped in a Scottish town.

Clach Na Criche (The Wishing Stone)

Discover Clach Na Criche (The Wishing Stone) in Argyll and Bute, Scotland: An ancient stone wall formed by lava that was a frequent stop during funeral marches.

Church of Agios Spyridon

Discover Church of Agios Spyridon in Nafplio, Greece: The historic building has preserved human organs, unusual hexagrams, and scars from a political assassination.

E18 War Train

Discover E18 War Train in Tokyo, Japan: The train engine is tucked under an apartment building on a quiet Tokyo street.

Orson Hyde Memorial Garden

Discover Orson Hyde Memorial Garden in Jerusalem, Israel: An elegant garden commemorating the 1841 visit from apostle and missionary, Orson Hyde.

Elvis American Diner

Discover Elvis American Diner in Neve Ilan, Israel: In a small town outside Jerusalem, a roadside diner is devoted to all things Elvis Presley.

Lakefront Airport

Discover Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana: This Art Deco airport was once deemed “the air hub of the Americas.”.

Turk’s Inn

Discover Turk's Inn in Brooklyn, New York: A Wisconsin kitsch palace from the 1930s lives its second life in 21st-century Brooklyn.

Kraków-Płaszów Concentration Camp

Discover Kraków-Płaszów Concentration Camp in Krakow, Poland: At first glance, this area seems like just another city park, but the lush landscape hides a dark past.

Snelgrov Ice Cream Cone

Discover Snelgrov Ice Cream Cone in Salt Lake City, Utah: This giant ice cream cone is the last remaining icon of a Salt Lake City staple.

Long Cove Quarry

Discover Long Cove Quarry in St George, Maine: A beautiful, water-filled quarry that has become a popular haunt for swimmers and artists.

Wooden Squirrel Carvings

Discover Wooden Squirrel Carvings in Montreal, Québec: The vaulted ceiling is home to a scurry of “squirrelgoyles.”.

Shakespeare Garden

Discover Shakespeare Garden in San Francisco, California: A garden oasis filled with flowers mentioned in the works of William Shakespeare.

Orchid Trail Greenhouses

Discover Orchid Trail Greenhouses in Morrisville, North Carolina: Wander through more than 20,000 square feet filled with an amazing collection of orchids.

Tavern Pachimon Wars

Discover Tavern Pachimon Wars in Osaka, Japan: This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

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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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