Allison Byrd's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Saulces-Monclin, France

Woinic the World's Largest Boar

The world's largest boar is a huge steel titan found at a French rest stop.
Mont Saint-Michel, France

Mont Saint-Michel

This 1,300 year old monastery built atop a single rock was once only accessible depending on the whims of the tide.
India / Pakistan

Siachen Glacier

This disputed mass of ice is home to the highest battleground on Earth.
Murcia, Spain

Sanatorio de Sierra Espuña

Haunted tuberculosis hospital built by the patients.
Alicante, Spain

Archibald Dickson Memorial

A monument at Alicante Marina honors a little-known hero of the Spanish Civil War.
Abiquiu, New Mexico

Ghost Ranch

Its history includes dinosaur fossils, cattle rustlers, Georgia O'Keeffe, and a mythical giant rattlesnake named Vivaron.
Leiden, Netherlands

Temple of Taffeh

An ancient Egyptian temple sits within a modern European museum.
Leiden, Netherlands

Willebrord Snellius' Grave

One of the great math minds of the 17th century is underfoot in this 900 year old Dutch church.
Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden Gunpowder Disaster Memorial

A massive explosion that leveled hundreds of buildings in the city of Leiden is remembered by a waterside plaque.
Leiden, Netherlands

Bibliotheca Thysiana

This public library and its impressive collection of academic books have not changed since the 17th century.
Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden Stones

A trio of red, white, and blue stones embedded in the streets of Leiden are markers of medieval territory and law.
Leiden, Netherlands

The Old Leiden Belltower

The remains of a medieval wall discovered in the basement of a jewelry store.
Leiden, Netherlands

Leiden’s Wall Formulae

Science meets wall art to highlight the beauty of famous mathematical equations.
Leiden, Netherlands

The Wall Poems of Leiden

The works of poetry's biggest names grace the walls of the city of Leiden, all carefully painted by hand.
Noordwijk, Netherlands

European Space Research and Technology Centre

The birthplace of most all of Europe's space missions is here on the Dutch coast.
Lisse, Netherlands

Keukenhof Gardens

Unsurprisingly, Holland is home to one of the most magnificent flower gardens in the world.
Aalsmeer, Netherlands

Royal FloraHolland

The largest flower auction house in the world.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Established in 1638 to battle the Black Death, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is a treasure trove of rare flora.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Theater Tuschinski

A beautifully eclectic mix of architectural styles.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

De Waag

Amsterdam's former hotspot for public executions and dissections.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Oudemanhuispoort

An ancient passage filled with stalls selling used books, once frequented by Vincent Van Gogh.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cuypers Library

This gorgeous reading room houses the oldest and largest art history library in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum

The history and future of cannabis.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Penis Fountain

Amsterdam's Red Light District leaves little to the imagination.