aavalos's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Chichen Itza, Mexico

El Caracol

No telescopes, no power, no gift shop: The Observatory of Chichen Itza, one of the world's oldest observatories, takes astronomy back to basics.
Chichen Itza, Mexico

Pyramid of Kukulcan at Chich'en Itza

Every equinox this Maya pyramid puts on a spooky ancient light show.
Dzitnup, Mexico

Cenote Xkeken

These azure waters were thought to lead to the Mayan Underworld.
Islas Marietas, Mexico

Hidden Beach

A lovers' beach, tucked below the surface of the island, provides a safe haven for romance.
Nazca, Peru

Nazca Lines Observation Tower

This metal tower in the desert provides views of a handful of Nazca geoglyphs.
Nazca, Peru

Nazca Lines

A set of ancient drawings in the desert of Peru that are so massive, many of them can only be fully seen from the sky.
Nazca, Peru

Chauchilla Cemetery

Plundered and left asunder by grave robbers, this ancient necropolis has been painstakingly pieced back together.
Guatemala

Semuc Champey

Hidden deep in the Guatemalan jungle is a turquoise paradise of natural pools, caves, and waterfalls.
Al Haouz, Morocco

Tin Mal Mosque

The remains of a magnificent medieval fortress that was the capital of a vast empire.
Mexico City, Mexico

UNAM Central Library

This incredible college library is a visual masterpiece of mosaic art. It also looks kind of like a giant boombox.
Machrie, Scotland

Machrie Moor Standing Stones

More stones than Stonehenge, all scattered within a windswept landscape sure to enchant 'Outlander' fans.
Čičmany, Slovakia

Painted Village of Čičmany

A perfectly preserved hill village where the buildings are painted like white lace.
Nyaung-U, Myanmar (Burma)

Bagan

Over 2,000 ancient temples dot the Myanmar landscape at the site of this famed archaeological site.
Myanmar (Burma)

Kakku Pagodas

This unique temple complex remains off the typical tourist trail.
Guadalajara, Mexico

Parque Mirador Independencia Amphitheater (Independence Lookout Park)

This concrete amphitheater offers an unforgettable view of one of Mexico's most beautiful canyons.
Baku, Azerbaijan

Yanar Dağ (Fire Mountain)

Mysterious hillside with a continuously burning natural fire.
Baku, Azerbaijan

Museum of Miniature Books

A gigantic collection of teeny, tiny books.
Stepanakert, Azerbaijan

We Are Our Mountains

This striking icon of the disputed Republic of Artsakh caused a stir at a Eurovision Song Contest.
Akhmeta, Georgia

Alaverdi Monastery Cellar

Monks in the empyreal Alazani River valley have preserved their 1,000-year-old winemaking tradition.
Mestia, Georgia

Queen Tamar Airport

Despite being tiny and rural this Georgian airport looks like a sci-fi boondoggle.
Georgia

Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument

A cylinder monument with a spectacular vista commemorates a friendship that some say never existed.
Georgia

Gergeti Trinity Church

Take respite inside this jaw-dropping church while climbing the volcano where Georgia's Prometheus was once chained.
Kumistavi, Georgia

Prometheus Cave

This neon lit Georgian cave claims to hold the boulder Prometheus was chained to.
Udabno, Georgia

Davit Gareja Cave Monastery

Rock-hewn monastery complex with hundreds of cave structures tucked away into the mountainside.