mbison's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Berkeley, California

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Where the alchemists dream of transmuting base metal into gold was actually achieved.
Meishan, China

Golden Summit Temple

A golden temple atop a sacred mountain, known for its giant effigy of the revered Pu Xian.
Ushiku, Japan

Ushiku Daibutsu: The Great Buddha of Ushiku

The third-tallest statue in the world depicts the "Buddha of Infinite Light," complete with observation deck in his chest.
San Vito di Cadore, Italy

Wooden Books of Padova University

While most books are made of wood, these wooden books are truly made of, and all about wood.
Portsmouth, Rhode Island

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Unicorns, elephants, and bears, oh my!
San Francisco, California

Balmy Alley Murals

Since 1973, this block has been home to the most concentrated collection of murals in San Francisco.
Solovetskiy, Russia

Solovki

Monastery, army base, and infamous Soviet Gulag in the far Russian north.
Montreal, Québec

Standing wave at Habitat '67, Montreal

Futuristic apartment blocks are the backdrop for Montreal surfers hangin' ten on the Habitat '67 standing wave.
Bilbao, Spain

Jeff Koons' Puppy

Giant topiary dog once played a role in a terrorist bomb plot.
Key West, Florida

Dry Tortugas

These remote Florida islands have a history of sea turtles and sunken treasures, and one of the world's largest coastal brick fortresses.
Bologna, Italy

Relics in the Basilica of San Domenico

A diverse collection of wax, bone, papier-maché and mummified relics.
Schrobenhausen, Germany

European Asparagus Museum

Behold, a collection dedicated to Germany's favorite vegetable.
Kenya

Kitum Cave

A salty cave excavated by elephants and the location of a deadly disease vector.
Agion Oros, Greece

Mount Athos

An autonomous republic of Orthodox monks.
Seattle, Washington

Neukom Vivarium

A rotting tree in the middle of Seattle doubles as an elaborately-controlled art piece.
Fleury-devant-Douaumont, France

Trench of Bayonets

Site of one of World War I's most horrific scenes.
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pianola Museum

A unique collection of gilded age mechanical pianos.
Madrid, Spain

Fountain of the Fallen Angel

Commonly acknowledged as the only public monument to the Devil himself.
London, England

The Museum of Everything (Moving Location)

London's largest outsider art museum.
Florence, Italy

Fresco of John Hawkwood

In Florence's great Duomo, a 26 foot fresco honors a mercenary famous for attacking Florence.
Cupertino, California

Electronics Flea Market

If you are looking for a used Russian battery, Chinese Ham Radio or other electronic oddities this Flea Market is a good place to start.
Hana, Hawaii

Hana Lava Tube

A tunnel of hardened lava along Maui’s famous Road to Hana.
Belgrade, Serbia

Ružica Church

A Serbian church lit by chandeliers made of weapons.
Portland, Oregon

Voodoo Doughnut and Wedding Chapel

The magic's in the hole!