patrickloonstra's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Wiltshire, England

Stonehenge

Famously misunderstood wonder of the ancient world
Banos, Ecuador

Swing at the End of the World

A swing to dangle you off the very edge.
Pripyat, Ukraine

Abandoned City of Pripyat

The ghost town left by the worst nuclear disaster of all time is being taken over by nature and urban explorers.
Dripping Springs, Texas

Hamilton Pool

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.
Berlin, Germany

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

Thousands of coffin-like pillars make up this controversial Holocaust memorial.
Berlin, Germany

Haus Schwarzenberg Street Art Alley

A narrow passage next to a cafe leads to a courtyard exploding with murals, tags, and paste-ups.
Barcelona, Spain

Sagrada Família

Construction of Barcelona's iconic (but controversial) church is expected to be completed in 2026—a century after the death of its architect.
Barcelona, Spain

Casa Batlló

One of Antoni Gaudí's most classic buildings is well-known for its "dragon-back" design.
Barcelona, Spain

Street Performers of Las Ramblas

The iconic boulevard is the perfect place to catch sight of a bicycling skeleton, a levitating Satan, or a chef with his head stuck in a pizza.
Barcelona, Spain

Mirador de Colom (Columbus Monument)

A vista of the city and sea from atop the little-known viewing deck on an unassuming Columbus statue.
Tamri, Morocco

The Tree Goats of Morocco

Morocco's Argania trees are infested with nut-hungry goats.
Aalsmeer, Netherlands

Royal FloraHolland

The largest flower auction house in the world.
Loenen, Netherlands

Waterfall of Loenen

The tallest waterfall in the Netherlands is a lovely, stepped feature that is only 50 feet tall.
Radio Kootwijk, Netherlands

Radio Kootwijk

This disused VLF radio station is no longer in service but the surrounding town still bears its name.
Lelystad, Netherlands

Bataviawerf

Building Men of War and Indiamen from Holland's Golden Age.
Schokland, Netherlands

Schokland

The struggle of a small Dutch island against the sea.
Breezanddijk, Netherlands

Afsluitdijk

The 20-mile causeway that separates the Netherlands from the sea.
Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands

Whale Jaw of Schiermonnikoog

An awe-inspiring giant blue whale jaw bone stands in the center of this Dutch island.
Dwingeloo, Netherlands

Dwingeloo Radio Observatory

This giant radio telescope would be a rusting ruin if it hadn't become such a beloved relic.
Zwiggelte, Netherlands

Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope

A radio telescope for listening to the stars, based in one of the cloudiest countries in the world.
Bourtange, Netherlands

Fort Bourtange

This beautifully designed star-shaped fort was the premier defense system of the late 1500s.
Groningen, Netherlands

Excalibur Climbing Wall

This imposing tower named after the mythical sword of King Arthur is considered the tallest freestanding climbing wall in the world.
Austin, Texas

Uncommon Objects

One part antique store, one part curiosities hodge-podge.
Austin, Texas

Congress Bridge Bats

Home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, estimated at 1.5 million bats.