Donny Pato's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Loading map...
Nagato, Japan

Mara Kannon

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Maitighar Mandala

Hiding in plain sight near Kathmandu’s government center is a giant mandala that has become a locus for political protest.
Nikko, Japan

'Imaginary Elephants'

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.
Varna, Bulgaria

Retro Museum

The Grand Mall in Varna hosts one of the biggest collections of Soviet-era paraphernalia in Bulgaria.
Arequipa, Peru

Monasterio de Santa Catalina

This 16th-century monastery was founded to cloister the daughters of wealthy local families.
Tervuren, Belgium

Bandundu Water Jazz Band

A jazz band formed by African water animals in the heart of Flemish Brabant.
Segovia, Spain

The Coining House

The first mechanized factory in Spain is also one of the most significant mints in the history of money.
Kyoto, Japan

Ichiriki

More than 300 years old, Kyoto's historic "teahouse" still operates as an invitation-only geisha club.
Hendersonville, North Carolina

Apple Valley Model Railroad Club

Inside this old train depot resides a multi-line model train covering western North Carolina.
Tokyo, Japan

Harukor

Tokyo’s only Ainu restaurant serves Indigenous food from northern Japan.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Oost-Indisch Huis

The former headquarters of history's oldest megacorporation.
Arnavutköy, Turkey

Istanbul Airport Museum

This airport also offers travelers the chance to view thousands of years of Turkish history.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

'Ajdovska Deklica' ('Heathen Maiden')

An unmistakable facial pareidolia in the Julian Alps also includes a fantastic tale.
Benalmádena, Spain

Castillo Monumento Colomares

A New York–based physician returned home to Spain to build his own elaborate monument to Christopher Columbus.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Al Wathba Fossil Dunes

These otherworldly formations were shaped over millions of years by the forces of nature.
Antwerp, Belgium

Ruckersplaats Hands Monument

Hidden along this old street in Antwerp is a surreal monument of a bronze arm sprouting four hands.
Wichita, Kansas

Original Pizza Hut

The first "Hut" was actually a small brick building.
Riga, Latvia

'Sam'

This statue is dedicated to the animal cosmonauts that perished during space flight experiments.
Ubud, Indonesia

Blanco Renaissance Museum

Visitors to this museum will find architectural oddities, an art gallery, and an unlikely bird sanctuary.
Hakone, Japan

Amazake-chaya Teahouse

Existing for more than four centuries, the last of Hakone’s historic teahouses serves a sweet, mold-based rice drink.
Helambu, Nepal

Langtang Village Memorial

This memorial honors a village that was destroyed during a 2015 earthquake.
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Phimeanakas

A secluded, little-known temple hidden amid the dense jungle.
Mahamanjushree Nagarkot, Nepal

Buddha Peace Park

This park in Nagarkot boasts one of the best views in all of Nepal.
Miskolc, Hungary

Diósgyőr Castle

This castle played host to the largest great hall found in medieval Central Europe.