blugowe's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Washington, D.C.

Catacombs of Washington, D.C.

Franciscan monks created a facsimile of the Holy Land for North Americans who couldn’t afford the trip overseas.
Washington, D.C.

Holodomor Memorial

An easily overlooked memorial to a Ukrainian famine-genocide that killed over 4 million people.
Washington, D.C.

Culture House

A historic neighborhood church is reborn as a psychedelic arts collective.
Washington, D.C.

Southwest Duck Pond

This lovely pocket park is one of the most under appreciated in D.C.
Washington, D.C.

Old Stone House

The oldest building in the District of Columbia was preserved because of a mistaken connection to George Washington.
Washington, D.C.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

The national park was once a plantation estate.
Washington, D.C.

Dumbarton Oaks

The Byzantine, pre-Columbian, and medieval art at this stately mansion are some of the most under-appreciated collections in D.C.
Washington, D.C.

The Exorcist Stairs

The site of the climactic scene from the classic horror film is now a historic landmark.
Washington, D.C.

The Capitol Stones

Enormous piles of historically significant stones, dumped by Congress in a forest, and abandoned for 60 years.
Spring Mills, Pennsylvania

Penn's Cave

Sail through this subterranean show cave that is home to a legend that would go on to name nearly everything around it.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mount Moriah Cemetery

An abandoned cemetery lies in ruins as the surrounding forest swallows it whole.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Masonic Temple of Philadelphia

Huge masonic hall in Philadelphia with lavishly themed rooms.
Washington, D.C.

International Temple of the Order of the Eastern Star

Obscure Freemasons still live in D.C.’s largest private residence.
Washington, D.C.

Joan of Arc Equestrian Statue

The only female equestrian statue in Washington, D.C. is a 15th-century French heroine.
Cape Charles, Virginia

Kiptopeke's Concrete Fleet

Nine of the very few concrete ships ever made in the U.S. are beautifully decaying off a Virginia pier.
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Mount Trashmore

Scenic mount trashmore, Virginia Beach's most curious waterfront still has a couple of secrets.
Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Witch of Pungo Statue

This statue is dedicated to Grace Sherwood, the last person in Virginia to be convicted of being a witch.
Florence, Italy

Babae Wine Window

Drink wine handed out through a window as part of an age-old tradition.
Florence, Italy

La Berta

Legend says this mysterious stone head belongs to a woman who was petrified by an alchemist.
Florence, Italy

Il Porcellino

This bronze boar's snout has been rubbed to a golden sheen by visitors seeking good fortune.
Florence, Italy

L’importuno di Michelangelo

The famous sculptor left his mark on this Italian wall in an internationally protected example of street art.
Milan, Italy

'Saint Bartholomew Flayed'

This grisly effigy displays an early Christian martyr who was skinned alive and beheaded.
Milan, Italy

Monumental Cemetery of Milan

Artistic tombs, monuments, and a beautiful "Hall of Fame" lurk inside this cemetery.
Milan, Italy

The Wall of the Dolls

This poignant art installation raises awareness of violence against women.