michaelsballard's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Rome, Italy

Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker

A freedman baker’s lavish tomb has a relief showing various stages of Roman bread making.
Malindi, Kenya

Gedi Ruins

Abandoned city hidden from the world by tropical forest and isolation on the coast of Kenya.
Jerusalem, Israel

President's Room

On holy holidays, Israel's second president used this room atop Mount Zion as a refuge to read the Torah.
Jerusalem, Israel

Christ Church in Jerusalem

Oldest Protestant church in the Middle East, designed to resemble a synagogue.
Jerusalem, Israel

Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem

The only quarter of the Old City not dedicated to a major world religion.
Kuwait City, Kuwait

Kuwait Water Towers

Kuwait City's uniquely designed water towers look straight out of a retro sci-fi cityscape.
Kandy, Sri Lanka

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

This elaborate temple was built around one of the Buddha's teeth.
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Gangaramaya Vihara Temple

Why is there a vintage Rolls Royce in this Buddhist temple?
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (Red Mosque)

This mesmerizing architectural wonder will take your breath away with its unusual color patterns.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Thapathali Durbar Temple

This is one of the last surviving structures of a once vast palace complex.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Kumari Ghar

A brick building in Kathmandu's Durbar Square is home to Nepal's most prominent living goddess.
Kathmandu, Nepal

The Pashupatinath Temple

The oldest Hindu temple complex in Nepal serves as the seat of Nepal’s national deity, Lord Pashupatinath.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Nyālon (Fish Stone)

This small shrine dedicated to a fish is believed to hold the secrets to this historic market's founding.
Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The former stronghold of the Malla Dynasty has remained virtually unchanged since the 17th century.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square

This historic square in Nepal is home to temples dating back to the third century.
Kathmandu, Nepal

The Toothache Tree

Nailing a coin to this holy stump is just another way to ask the gods for relief from dental pain.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

Sacred Buddhist home of some spiritual monkeys.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Boudhanath Stupa

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world keeps an eye out in every direction.
Hobart, Australia

'Heading South' Statues at Hobart Harbour

Bronze statues honor the brave explorers who passed through this Antarctic gateway.
Hot Water Beach, New Zealand

Hot Water Beach

Handcrafted thermal spa washes away each night with the tide.
Santiago Tepeyahualco, Mexico

Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque

In the 16th century, a Franciscan monk pulled off a construction miracle by building a Roman-style aqueduct to save the town of Otumba, Mexico, from certain death.
Mexico City, Mexico

Espacio Escultórico (Sculptural Space)

A series of abstract sculptures pop up from an otherworldly volcanic landscape.
London, England

Allies Sculpture

Bronze sculpture celebrating the relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt.
London, England

Twinings Tea Shop

A 300-year-old tea shop that brought tea to the English people, not to mention the Queen herself.