gemmatarlach's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Riga, Latvia

Freedom Monument

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.
Riga, Latvia

The Corner House

A former Latvian headquarters of the brutal KGB secret police is now open as a grim reminder of their atrocities.
Karak, Jordan

Kerak Castle

Perched above the bustling town of Kerak is a sprawling, ruinous castle that has witnessed nearly a millennia of Levantine history.
Madaba, Jordan

Madaba Mosaic Map

The world's oldest map of the holy land gives us a fragmented glimpse of the layout of biblical nations.
Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.
Jerash, Jordan

The Ruins of Jerash

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.
Jordan

Petra

An ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years old and harbors many surprises.
Set Zaynab, Syria

Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque

This ornate mosque is said to hold the remains of Muhammad's granddaughter beneath its dome of pure gold.
Hama, Syria

Norias of Hama

Only a handful of these gorgeous historic waterwheels remain but even those are in danger from local unrest.
Aleppo, Syria

Souk al-Saqatiya

Amid the rubble of Aleppo's Old Quarter, part of a historic market has been restored and re-opened.
Aleppo, Syria

The Citadel of Aleppo

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.
Safita, Syria

Krak des Chevaliers

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.
Palmyra, Syria

Palmyra

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.
Dhigurah, Maldives

Dhigurashu Thun'di (Long Beach)

A narrow, serpentine spit of sand is constantly eroded and rebuilt by competing currents.
Dharavandhoo, Maldives

Dharavandhoo Fish Market

When the sun sets, the customers arrive—but they’re not human.
Eydhafushi, Maldives

Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve

The world's seventh-largest coral reef contains an incredible amount of biodiversity.
London, England

Museum of London Docklands

A museum that chronicles the interesting and often dark history of the London docklands, once one of the major trading ports of the world.
Glaumbær, Iceland

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

This former farm In northern Iceland is now a museum, where visitors can tour beautifully-preserved turf houses.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cactus Club

This storied music venue was once a tavern that housed an Italian Anarchist book club and prohibition parties; today it's a community space for artists and musicians.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

North Point Water Tower

What appears to be a wizard's lair in Milwaukee actually houses a massive water pipe.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Black Cat Alley

A group of artists transformed this desolate city alleyway into an outdoor gallery of street art.
Charlottesville, Virginia

Monticello's Vegetable Garden and Fruitery

Thomas Jefferson's estate is home to hundreds of varieties of historic fruits and vegetables.
Tbilisi, Georgia

Berikaoba Sculpture Group

A lively circle of dancers in the Georgian capital commemorates an ancient rite of spring.
Hobart, Australia

Maritime Museum of Tasmania

Countless expeditions have left Tasmania to explore Antarctica, but this island state has an even deeper connection with the sea.