andyvalko's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Ventspils, Latvia

The Cows of Ventspils

The Latvian city of Ventspils is filled with dozens of cow statues showcasing unique themes.
Daugavpils, Latvia

Daugavpils Shot Tower

This Latvian shot factory is still used twice a year to manufacture bullets the old-fashioned way.
Irlavas pagasts, Latvia

Bridge to Nowhere

A railway bridge leading nowhere stands lonely in the middle of a meadow.
Riga, Latvia

Riga Central Market

3,000 market stands in five former Zeppelin hangars.
Sillamäe, Estonia

Sillamäe

This Soviet-era "closed town" was a top secret uranium producer often left off of maps.
Tallinn, Estonia

Raeapteek

The oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe.
Lidumnieki, Latvia

Skrunda-1

This abandoned secret city is a crumbling wonderland of Soviet ruins.
Gorno Nerezi, North Macedonia

Church of St. Panteleimon

See gorgeous frescoes at this modest Byzantine place of worship.
North Macedonia

Stobi

After witnessing the rise and fall of three empires, this ancient city was finally destroyed by a series of earthquakes.
Skopje, North Macedonia

The Statues of Skopje

These abundant, over-the-top monuments are so widely scattered that they define the entire compact capital cityscape, often leading to jokes about whether there are more statues than residents.
Skopje, North Macedonia

Skopje Aqueduct

A historical puzzle lies at the origins of this structure.
Skopje, North Macedonia

Skopje Fortress

This fortress dates back to the 6th century and is also the site of a controversial abandoned restoration project.
Mavrovo, North Macedonia

St Nicholas Church - Mavrovo

Depending on the region's rainfall, this church may be partially submerged.
Tallinn, Estonia

'Cromatico'

This set of concrete chambers resonates according to different notes of octaves.
Ridala Parish, Estonia

Haapsalu Airfield

This abandoned fighter jet launch center is now a haunting street racing course.
Tallinn, Estonia

St Catherine's Passage

A medieval setting reimagined into a unique art alley.
Tallinn, Estonia

Maarjamäe Memorial Complex

This striking memorial is one of Estonia’s most controversial Soviet leftovers.
Tallinn, Estonia

Soviet Statue Graveyard

Relics from an era long gone, sit idle outside this Estonian museum.
Tallinn, Estonia

St Nicholas' Church Danse Macabre

Only a fragment of this 15th-century Dance of Death survives today.
Tallinn, Estonia

Seaplane Harbour

Disused seaplane hangar gets a second life as the jaw-dropping home of Estonia's museum of maritime history.
Tallinn, Estonia

KGB Museum

"There's nothing there," and other lies the KGB told us.
Riga, Latvia

The World of Hat

A small museum contains one of the largest collections of ethnic and traditional headgear in the world.
Liepāja, Latvia

Karosta Prison Hotel

Guests become prisoners on a visit to Latvian prison.
Daugavpils, Latvia

Daugavpils Fortress

Built to ward off Napoleon's army, this city-sized abandoned Russian fort is now perfect for urban exploration.