sarahjmurphy's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Carlsbad, California

Craftsmanship Museum

This large collection of tiny things revels in the art of fine machinery well made.
Iceland

Keldur Hall

The oldest hall in Iceland was written of in the Sagas and features a centuries-old escape tunnel.
Iceland

Selárdalur Valley

A "simple-hearted artist" turned an isolated Icelandic valley into his own art museum.
Husavik, Iceland

Sigurgeirs Bird Museum

Largest private bird collection in Iceland, formed from a tragic accident.
Bíldudalur, Iceland

Skrímslasetrið

The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum explores the area's history of aquatic cryptid sightings.
Fars Province, Iran

The Ruins of Persepolis

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.
Sydney, Australia

The Lillipad Cafe

An indigenous ethnobotanist runs this brunch spot celebrating Australia’s native flavors.
Argolis, Greece

Mycenae

This legendary city has been a tourist attraction for centuries.
Nea Tiryntha, Greece

Tholos Tomb of Tiryns

Step inside an ancient beehive tomb built for a mysterious cult hero.
El Paso, Texas

Lhakhang Cultural Exhibit

A Bhutanese temple gifted from the isolated Himalayan kingdom is now a surprising cultural gem located at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Isfahan, Iran

Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque

17th century mosque for Shah Abbas' harem.
Isfahan, Iran

Vank Cathedral

The cathedral stands in New Jufa, Isfahan's Armenian quarter that was established in 1606.
Isfahan, Iran

Khaju Bridge

This 17th-century structure is a beautiful testimony to traditional Persian architecture
Isfahan, Iran

Pigeon Towers of Iran

These little castles each held thousands of pigeons.
Kish, Iran

Kariz-e-Kish

Hydraulic systems in an ancient underground Iranian city.
Kandovan, Iran

Troglodyte Village of Kandovan

Modern-day cave dwellers carve elaborate homes out of volcanic debris.
Ramhormoz, Iran

Tashkooh Burning Hill

Leaking natural gas never stops burning on this hill, making it an infinite inferno.
Shooshtar, Iran

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.
Grants, New Mexico

Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano

A frozen oasis lies beneath the scorching New Mexico desert.
Palermo, Italy

Qanat di Palermo

A network of underground water channels that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Santa Barbara, California

Lil' Toot

This nonsensical smiling boat shuttles passengers between two places they could've easily walked between.
Santa Barbara, California

Lotusland

Acres of natural wonders left behind by a socialite-turned-gardener.
Lone Pine, California

Mobius Arch

This rock formation named for its unique shape is one of many that call the Alabama Hills home.
Bloomfield, New Mexico

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area

The land is full of geologic eye candy, such as otherworldly spires, mushroom-shaped hoodoos, and prehistoric fossils.