rettichlava's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Helsinki, Finland

Temppeliaukio Church

A subterranean house of worship carved right out of the bedrock.
Helsinki, Finland

Lyhdynkantajat (The Lantern Bearers)

These enormous, stern-faced statues greet visitors with lanterns, and sometimes costumes.
Helsinki, Finland

National Memorial to the Winter War

Dedicated to the outnumbered Finnish forces who pushed back Soviet forces during the conflict.
Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

One of the tallest buildings in Iceland, and perhaps, the most visually impressive.
Iceland

Abandoned Djúpavík Herring Factory

This rusting remnant of the local herring industry is being given a second life.
Akureyri, Iceland

Akureyri Heart-Shaped Traffic Lights

Instead of solid circles, the stoplights in this northern Icelandic town have glowing red hearts.
Iceland

Godafoss

This elegant arc of a waterfall marks a religious turning point.
Iceland

Námafjall

In Northeastern Iceland lies something of an oxymoron: a steaming desert.
Iceland

Námaskarð

A sulfuric martian landscape that looks far better than it smells.
Iceland

Dimmuborgir

These ominous lava formations were said to be an entrance to the netherworld so of course they inspired a famous metal band.
Húsavík, Iceland

Jaja Ding Dong

A real-life homage to the Rachel McAdams and Will Ferrell's fictional Eurovision musical duo.
Raufarhöfn, Iceland

The Arctic Henge

This modern monument to pagan belief looks like it was transported straight from ancient times.
Iceland

Dettifoss

The most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.
Iceland

Red Chair

A giant red chair bolted to a rock on a remote mossy hillside in Iceland.
Höfn, Iceland

Viking Village Film Set

This replica Viking village was created for a film that was never shot and is now open to visitors.
Iceland

Jökulsárlón

Iceland's largest lagoon is home to stunning multi-colored icebergs.
Iceland

Diamond Beach

A black sand beach where glacial fragments wash ashore and look like sparkling diamonds.
Iceland

Laufskálavarða

Cairns built to bring travelers good luck stretch across the land like miniature stone mountains.
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

Elliðaey Island Lodge

Internet rumors, often involving Icelandic singer Björk, have abounded regarding this isolated outcrop of rock.
Heimaey, Iceland

World's Largest Puffin Colony

Every summer local children form "pysja patrols" to save young birds that have wandered from their nests.
Heimaey, Iceland

Volcanic Island of Heimaey

A modern Nordic Pompeii on the Icelandic island of Heimaey.
Heimaey, Iceland

Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)

On an island south of Iceland, a large volcanic rock formation resembles an elephant.