nwolenik's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Loading map...
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj Al Arab

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Gold Souk

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.
Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia Sophia Wishing Column

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet, your wish will be granted.
Istanbul, Turkey

Tünel

Climb a steep hill in 90 seconds on the second-oldest urban subway in the world.
Istanbul, Turkey

Piri Reis Map at Topkapi Palace

1513 Turkish world map, full of European state secrets and snarky commentary.
Vienna, Austria

Vienna Grand Ferris Wheel

Vienna's giant wonder wheel had a starring role in one of the greatest noir movies of all time.
Toronto, Ontario

Toronto PATH

One of the largest underground systems runs under Canada's largest urban center.
Vancouver, British Columbia

Gastown Steam Clock

A working steam clock, one of only a few in the world, located in Vancouver's Victorian Gastown.
Pasadena, California

Vista del Arroyo Hotel

Pasadena glamour turned government issue.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Binns Clock

This historic timepiece was a popular meeting place for romantic rendezvous in the 1960s.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Greyfriars Bobby

The most loyal of little dogs, or a Victorian era publicity stunt?
Edinburgh, Scotland

Mary King's Close

17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were once a breeding ground for the black death.
London, England

Speakers' Corner

London's last remaining public soapbox site has seen speeches from Karl Marx, Vladmir Lenin, and George Orwell.
London, England

The Burlington Arcade Beadles

This luxury shopping lane has been protected by its own tiny police force for over a century.
London, England

The Mail Rail

Hidden beneath the streets of London is a secret subway that only carried mail.
Barcelona, Spain

Street Performers of Las Ramblas

The iconic boulevard is the perfect place to catch sight of a bicycling skeleton, a levitating Satan, or a chef with his head stuck in a pizza.
Pasadena, California

Kendall Alley

A cobblestone alley with an interesting past.
Los Angeles, California

Bradbury Building

The legendary building that needed ghostly approval before being built.
Pasadena, California

Pasadena's Busch Gardens

Southern California’s Theme Park Beginnings.
Berlin, Germany

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Thousands of coffin-like pillars make up this controversial Holocaust memorial.
Pasadena, California

Colorado Street Bridge

A Masterpiece with a Tragic History.
Pasadena, California

Vroman's Bookstore

Colorado Boulevard’s historic bookstore, operating since the bustling city of Pasadena was merely some orange groves and a few ostrich farms.
Pasadena, California

Pasadena City Hall

One of Hollywood’s favorite government buildings.
Pasadena, California

The Castle Green

Where the rich wintered in Pasadena.