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The Definitive Guide To

The World’s
Hidden Wonders

From ancient relics to roadside oddities, we connect you to the best of what’s out there.

Armenian Cathedral of the Holy Cross

An ancient church on a tiny island covered in stone bible stories has controversially been turned into a museum.

Added By philoursmars

Place of the Day

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Get your daily burst of wonder with all-new episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.

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Begin Your Journey

Editor’s Picks

Destinations From Across the Atlas

Featured Trips

Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina

Trip

Wild Borneo: Secrets of an Ancient Rainforest

Trip

Say Hello to Nature’s Fire Brigade

animals

When it comes to restoring land and preventing wildfires, animals like pangolins, beavers, and elephants have a lot to offer. Can helping them help us?

Featured Trips

Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina

Trip

Wild Borneo: Secrets of an Ancient Rainforest

Trip

Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?

Podcast

The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism

new england

This Kansas Town Advertised the World’s Largest Well. It Wasn’t.

Podcast

Where to Wander: Atlas Obscura Selects the Best Places to Visit in 2025

exploration

Explore the Atlas

Hidden Wonders

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Most Recent

Washington, D.C.

Flag Office Elevator

The elevator that makes it possible to fly American flags in bulk over the U.S. Capitol

Added By

Elliot Carter
Rufisque, Senegal

Lake Retba

This deceptively salty lake looks like blushing pink lemonade.

Added By

Rachel James
Durham, England

Finchale Priory

The former "holiday home" for monks at the Durham Cathedral.

Added By

katielou106
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Venerable Thich Quảng Đức Monument

A memorial to the monk who set himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists in Vietnam.

Added By

Michael Inscoe
Salem, Massachusetts

The Witch House of Salem

The only structure left with direct ties to the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692.

Added By

Dylan Thuras
Sønderborg, Denmark

'Støvlen' ('The Boot')

This colossal hiking boot, once built for a scout jamboree, serves as an observation tower and barbecue area.

Added By

Johan SWE
Nassau, Bahamas

Ocean Atlas

The world’s largest underwater sculpture is found just off the coast of Nassau.

Added By

Rachel Gould
Chicago, Illinois

Margie’s Candies

This old-fashioned confectionary has been family owned and operated for more than a century.

Added By

Hal Koss

Chamonix, France

Grotte de Glace

Every year, a sparkling cave is sculpted in the icy heart of a glacier.

Added By

Alex Perrault
Candolim, India

Sinquerim Beach Bastion

An old bastion at the base of Aguada Fort protrudes into the sea, offering picturesque views.

Added By

Vivek Gadre
Port Tobacco, Maryland

Port Tobacco Schoolhouse

A remarkably well-preserved one room schoolhouse that dates back to 1876.

Added By

Ian Hall
Zedelgem, Belgium

Vloethemveld

Formerly a munitions depot and World War II POW camp, now a nature reserve.

Added By

Thibault Hollevoet
Michigan City, Indiana

Century of Progress Homes

These five houses were built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

Added By

kateloveshistory
Washington, D.C.

Signers’ Memorial

Engraved in stone on a little Island are the signatures of everyone who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Added By

kmorgan6912
Kamakura, Japan

Wakae Island Ruins

The ruins of the oldest artificial island in Japan, still used for mooring today at 800 years old.

Added By

Fred Cherrygarden
Sala, Sweden

Sala Silver Mine

Sweden’s legendary mine with wildly deep tunnels.

Added By

Amanda Bolts