patrickloonstra's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Utrecht, Netherlands

Miffy Traffic Light

The cutest way to stay safe in traffic.
Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

The House with Two Numbers

This residence straddles a border between Belgium and the Netherlands.
Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

Zendstation MN7

A reconstructed World War I-era communications array that was once hidden in plain sight.
Damme, Belgium

Damme Canal

Also known as Napoleon's Canal, this waterway was created on the orders of the general, and construction was interrupted by Waterloo.
Bruges, Belgium

Smallest Gothic Window in Bruges

You can spot this teeny tiny stained-glass window from the Bonifacius bridge.
Franeker, Netherlands

Eisinga Planetarium

Home to the world's oldest functioning orrery.
Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Slauerhoffbrug Flying Drawbridge

This unique bridge physically lifts a piece of the road into the air to let boats pass by.
Skogar, Iceland

Seljavallalaug

The oldest (maybe) swimming pool in Iceland is a stunning oasis built into the side of a lush hill.
Iceland

Hengifoss

The bright red stripes streaking across the rocks are the star feature at this Icelandic waterfall.
Iceland

Grjótagjá

This volcanic cave lake is essentially hard proof that Iceland is the most magical place on Earth.
Iceland

Námaskarð

A sulfuric martian landscape that looks far better than it smells.
Akureyri, Iceland

Akureyri Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights

Instead of solid circles, the stoplights in this northern Icelandic town have glowing red hearts.
Glaumbær, Iceland

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

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

Harpa

This stunning concert hall has become a symbol of Iceland's national recovery.
Den Burg, Netherlands

The Wadden Sea

Rich with fauna and flora, nature-lovers can walk across the sea at this UNESCO World Heritage spot.
Harderwijk, Netherlands

Aqueduct Veluwemeer

While most bridges allow roads to pass over water, this one allows water to pass over a road.
Groningen, Netherlands

World's Largest Christmas Bauble

Every winter, this former planetarium is transformed into a massive, brightly-lit Christmas ornament.
Groningen, Netherlands

Groningen University Museum

Preserving the research tools, unexpected inventions, and odd collections of generations of college professors.
Qom, Iran

Fatemeh Maasoume Shrine

One of the holiest Shi'i shrines in Iran honors the life and death of a learned noblewoman who became a saint.
Tokyo, Japan

Hachiko

After a profound show of devotion for his master, a dog becomes the symbol of loyalty for an entire nation.
Tokyo, Japan

Godzilla Head

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.
Kyoto, Japan

Sagano Bamboo Forest

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.
Rotterdam, Netherlands

Paul McCarthy's Santa Claus

Rotterdammers' dirty minds gave this santa a dirty nickname and cursed it to a life of wandering.
Rotterdam, Netherlands

The Giant Of Rotterdam

A statue of the second-tallest Dutchman in history.