Max Cortesi's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Leaderboard Highlights
Max Cortesi's activity rankings
1st
Places visited in Sri Lanka
1st
Places added to Thailand
1st
Places edited in Sri Lanka
2nd
Places visited in Tanzania
2nd
Places added to Ecuador
2nd
Places edited in North Macedonia
3rd
Places visited in Morocco
3rd
Places added to Italy
3rd
Places edited in Bolivia
Jiblah, Yemen

Queen Arwa Mosque

One of Yemen’s oldest and most beautiful mosques was named for the incredible, historical queen buried inside it.
East Timor

Sia Maubara

A haunting place that is now home to thousands of birds.
East Timor

Escola do Reino de Haudere Ruins

A surprisingly large and sturdy ruin on the outskirts of a remote village.
Mombasa, Kenya

Fort Jesus

This colonial fort is an intriguing example of Renaissance military architecture.
Wakrah, Qatar

Al Wakrah Dhow Harbor

A superb spot to appreciate the traditional boats of the Indian Ocean.
Teshig, Mongolia

Mongolia/Russia Border Crossing No. 487

This extremely remote border crossing was closed to prevent smuggling and looting.
Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Muzey Sulayman Too

An outstanding piece of retro Sci-Fi architecture built into a sacred mountain.
Kharkhorin, Mongolia

Imperial Map Monument

History, geography, and shamanism meet in this eye-catching monument to the greatness of three empires.
Nohijai Pançakent, Tajikistan

Ancient Panjakent

The remains of an ancient city-state along the Silk Road.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Frunze Museum

Dedicated to a Bolshevik revolutionary, this museum is a true time capsule of the Soviet era.
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Dungan Mosque

Built entirely of interlocking pieces, construction of this Chinese Muslim house of worship required zero nails.
Ming-Kush, Kyrgyzstan

Min Kush

This village was once a thriving Soviet uranium mining center, but is now semi-abandoned and desolate.
Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Wall of Great Tajik Writers

A building facade covered with the statues of 11 giants of Tajik literature.
Kojomkul, Kyrgyzstan

Kojomkul Memorial

An unusual monument to a gentle giant who became a Kyrgyz hero.
Ishkoshim, Tajikistan

Yamchun Fort

This ancient Silk Road outpost overlooking the Wakhan Valley is miraculously still standing.
Xiva, Uzbekistan

Walls of Itchan Kala

Ancient barriers wrap around what was once an important stop along the Silk Road.
Haidong Shi, China

White Horse Temple (白马寺)

This temple located on a vertical drop of a rocky mountain houses relics from the Song Dynasty.
Hatgal, Mongolia

Abandoned Petroleum Distribution Center

Traces of the thriving lake trade that once linked the Soviet Union with Mongolia.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Shop #47 at Mwenge Woodcarvers Market

An exquisite and eclectic selection of African masks stands out within a massive woodcarving marketplace.
Bulgan, Mongolia

Flaming Cliffs

Dinosaur eggs were first discovered at these fiery red cliffs.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Mongolian Military Museum

Thousands of artifacts tell Mongolia's military history, from the Bronze Age to the present.
Iran

Kharānaq

The tower in this 1,000-year-old mud-brick village seems to vibrate for no apparent reason.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Centre of Shaman Eternal Heavenly Sophistication

A nondescript dirt lot hides an intriguing center of shamanic healing.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek Circus

This retro, UFO-like structure is a remnant of the Soviet-era circus.