gemmatarlach's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Seattle, Washington

Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop

This Seattle store is packed with all sorts of curious creatures and creations.
Seattle, Washington

Gum Wall

A wall of chewing gum moonlights as collective art.
Seattle, Washington

Seattle Underground

A walk through the historic city center, under the streets of Seattle.
Amman, Jordan

Roman Theater of Amman

This exceptionally well-preserved ancient marvel also houses a small museum dedicated to Jordanian folk tradition.
Vatican City

'The Vision of Constantine'

This equestrian statue of Constantine the Great has been the subject of criticism for centuries.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Amir Timur (Tamerlane) Museum

Looking for a unifying history, Uzbekistan finds its answer in a 14th Century Turco-Mongol conqueror... despite the fact he wasn't Uzbek.
Faroe Islands

Lake Sørvágsvatn

The largest lake in the Faroe Islands seems to be held hundreds of feet above sea level thanks to an optical illusion.
Slope Point, New Zealand

Slope Point

The most southerly spot on New Zealand's South Island is home to surreally shaped, permanently mangled trees.
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Medeu

This Soviet-era athletic and recreation facility is the highest ice skating rink in the world.
Enbekshikazakh District, Kazakhstan

Issyk Lake

The lovely lake that was naturally dammed, then naturally destroyed, then unnaturally saved.
Riga, Latvia

Freedom Monument

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.
Riga, Latvia

The Corner House

A former Latvian headquarters of the brutal KGB secret police is now open as a grim reminder of their atrocities.
Karak, Jordan

Kerak Castle

Perched above the bustling town of Kerak is a sprawling, ruinous castle that has witnessed nearly a millennia of Levantine history.
Madaba, Jordan

Madaba Mosaic Map

The world's oldest map of the holy land gives us a fragmented glimpse of the layout of biblical nations.
Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Wadi Rum

Known as the "Valley of the Moon," this Jordanian wadi is one of the most amazing desertscapes on Earth.
Jerash, Jordan

The Ruins of Jerash

Gladiators battle and chariots race daily in the ruins of a once-great Roman city.
Petra District, Jordan

Petra

An ancient capital city that dates back 3,000 years old and harbors many surprises.
Set Zaynab, Syria

Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque

This ornate mosque is said to hold the remains of Muhammad's granddaughter beneath its dome of pure gold.
Hama, Syria

Norias of Hama

Only a handful of these gorgeous historic waterwheels remain but even those are in danger from local unrest.
Aleppo, Syria

Souk al-Saqatiya

Amid the rubble of Aleppo's Old Quarter, part of a historic market has been restored and re-opened.
Aleppo, Syria

The Citadel of Aleppo

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.
Safita, Syria

Krak des Chevaliers

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.
Palmyra, Syria

Palmyra

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.
Dhigurah, Maldives

Dhigurashu Thun'di (Long Beach)

A narrow, serpentine spit of sand is constantly eroded and rebuilt by competing currents.