<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/g2I-FEwU96KDCHFx2tnEHBy1EXlsRZMAh4kD_RzG4XU/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:2829:1886:nowe:171:1486/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8yMzg2/YzA4ZS0yN2Y1LTRk/OTQtYjA0NC1iZjc2/YTlhNTgwOTdiN2Yy/NjU5ZmNkOTc3NmFl/MjNfMjAyNjAxMTFf/MTMzNTQxLmpwZw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>In the shadow of a Victorian church lies an 11th-century Norse grave marker, the last tangible whisper of Viking raiders who once terrorised the bonnie banks.</p> <p>Tucked among the weathered headstones of Luss Parish Church, this peculiar hump-backed boulder is easy to mistake for an eroded rock or forgotten grave. But look closer at its curved silhouette and you're gazing at a miniature Viking longhouse, a stone "hall for the dead" carved to guide a Norse soul to Valhalla.</p> <p>Hogback stones are an enigma of the Dark Ages. These Anglo-Scandinavian grave markers appear nowhere in Scandinavia itself. They exist only in Britain, concentrated in areas of Viking settlement along the trading routes that once connected York to Dublin. The Luss example sits along the Forth-Clyde corridor, a waterway the Norse knew well. </p> <p>In 1263, King Haakon IV of Norway launched a massive fleet against Scotland in a final bid to reassert Norse dominance over the Western Isles. His raiders sailed up Loch Long, then in an audacious feat of strength, dragged their longships overland at Tarbet to burst upon Loch Lomond, pillaging the settlements along its shores and catching the locals utterly by surprise. Whether this particular stone dates to that infamous raid or commemorates an earlier Norseman who settled these banks remains a mystery.</p> <p>The stone's distinctive "shingled" roof ridge and faint interlace carvings on its flanks mark it unmistakably as Viking work. After being unearthed in 1926, it spent decades slowly disappearing beneath creeping moss until a 2015 restoration revealed its ornate details once more. Now raised on a small plinth of gravel, it offers visitors a tangible connection to a time when dragon-prowed ships haunted these waters. </p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/_dDux4GTasLHF8qu_WVw8cKOTBmBuP1kV_sqhr9OsJQ/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:3314:2209:nowe:362:510/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lZTg2/MjIyMy04NDVmLTQ5/OWYtOWEyYi0wMzlj/MGM2N2U2YWNmYmZk/YmIzMWUxYTNjYTQx/NmFfRkU2OEY4RkIt/OUE2Qy00NTc4LUIw/MkMtODBCQUQyQzAz/QTY1LmpwZWc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Before the 1850s travel by boat up the Amazon river, against the current, was nearly impossible, but with the arrival of steamboats new industries became possible. The most lucrative of these was the rubber trade, and from 1880-1912 the Amazon was flooded with adventurers looking to make their fortunes. </p> <p>Steamboats like the Ayapua were the lifeline of this boom. They functioned as cargo boats, passenger liners, naval vessels, hotels, brothels, and everything in between. The Ayapua itself was built in 1906 in Hamburg, Germany, for the express purpose of carrying up to $2,000,000 worth of rubber per load in today’s money from the Peruvian Amazon to Europe and the United States.</p> <p>The Amazonian rubber boom, however, was doomed almost before it began. After the British managed to smuggle a load of rubber seeds to their Asian colonies the price of rubber plummeted. Reports of the brutal living conditions and wholesale slaughter of the indigenous rubber tappers also started to reach Europe and Lima, despite the propagandising of the Rubber Barons, and by 1912 most of the adventurers and speculators had fled Iquitos, leaving nothing but mansions, trauma, and steamboats.</p>

<p><img alt=" Discover coins and other artifacts recovered from shipwrecks." height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/WsArQARVuhv3sNTMCqavGXoWobhDP_XZMgx6GydSSYo/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lYTNl/OWQ4MjhlZTMzMjhl/NDRfTkVXXzE5MTYu/anBn.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Embark on an adventure like no other at this most nautical of museums, where authentic artifacts and multimedia exhibits combine to bring the history of crime on the high seas to life. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Located in City Market, the museum speaks to Savannah’s rich maritime history, including the motley crew of marauders that once filled its ports. It’s also right below the Savannah Prohibition Museum, making it the perfect spot for history buffs to take in different periods of the city’s past in one day. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Visitors can engage with interpretive panels and audio recordings that reveal the nitty gritty details of pirate life or peruse primary documents to discover the secrets of history’s most infamous voyages. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real weapons, treasures, and tools—including </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spanish coins from the El Cazador shipwreck and five carats of emeralds from the Atocha—immerse you in the </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Golden Age of Piracy. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The museum’s strikingly life-like wax figures also allow you to meet (or even strike a pose with) heroes and scoundrels alike.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An interactive map shows how pirate history has unfolded around the world; however, the museum places special focus on Savannah’s own pirate ties, including the exploits of </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Captain Caleb Davis, an infamous smuggler and privateer with Georgia ties. Women pirates such as Anne Bonny and Mary Read are also highlighted, dispelling the misconception that only men could find fortunes on the high seas. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After brushing up on your history, you can drop anchor and grab a drink at the on-site Pirates Tavern. With its barrels of ale, wood-beamed ceilings, skulls, ropes, and more, it feels like </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">entering into a real buccaneer’s bar—without the perils, thankfully. It even serves up time-tested pirate recipes, including “Hard Tack,” a rock-hard cracker just as salty as the sea.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bartending ne’er-do-wells, Scarlett Redd and John Boy, sling up brews, wines, and themed cocktails like West Indian Rum Punch, and may even treat you to a traditional sea shanty or two. If the pirate’s life is for you, round off your visit with a toast, and pop into the gift store for your booty.  </span></p>

<p><img alt="Photographer and model." height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/AE-kfgXOjbnvYGK7L-DFO9oahKVElvyL24xwCbo1_Ls/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:2042:1361:nowe:0:505/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy83OTIw/ZjUyYi01NjljLTQy/NjYtODY3NC01YzFi/YzA1MmE1MmE5ZWE3/Mzc3MmE4OWYyZjBh/ZjRfNTg0OTU4NDYw/XzEwMTYyMTE4MzU2/OTQyMDgzXzE4NTI3/NDc1OTEyMjY5MjU0/NjNfbi5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Over the breadth and scope of London,  there are hundreds, if not thousands, of statues. Some depict the heroic efforts of individuals while others memorialize great thinkers or innovators. Still there are a handful of sculptures that honor a moment in time in the capital's rich and varied history. This best describes a grouping of figures along a side street in the Mayfair district.</p> <p>This piece is entitled, "Three Figures' and is the work of British sculptor Neal French (1933- ). It depicts a photographer, a model, and a curious passerby. The photographer is the renowned filmmaker Terence Donovan (1936 - 1996), whose studio is located nearby at 30 Bourdon Street. The model is Dame Lesley Lawson, (1949 - ) better known as Twiggy. The other figure is symbolic of the everyman.</p> <p>This figurative sculpture was commissioned by Grosvenor Estate in 2012, it was to inaugurate their offices on nearby Grosvenor Hill. The piece was meant to reflect the areas impact on the 'Swinging Sixties', a youth led cultural revolution that was integral to London during the 1960's. This movement was highly influential in the areas of music and fashion.</p> <p>This is mirrored in the choice of the subject matter. Twiggy was the "It-Girl" of the time, the poster child of this Mod youth led movement. She is depicted with her iconic pixie cut short hair and wearing a minidress in the style of Dame Mary Quant, (1930 -2023).  This grouping of statues is apart of a sculptural art trail that includes works by Henry Moore, (1889 - 1986) and other contemporary artists.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/QhmvrckLNx6Aqz5aHbE0v7OMNWCnXLVNpPCasFbwr3g/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:4032:2688:nowe:0:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9mZDg1/MGMwNi04NWI4LTQ3/ZjktODYxZC0zYzgw/Y2MxMzkwZDM0ZmU0/ZTU0NDg1NWYzYTVi/N2NfaW1hZ2UuanBl/Zw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Jönköping was once known as Sweden's "Match City" ("Tändsticksstaden") because for over a century that was its most famous export. At one point, a third of the town's workforce was employed in this single industry. Although many might consider matchsticks to be a dull subject, it is clear the residents of this city disagree, as they have turned part of the former Jönköpings Tändsticksfabrik factory into a museum dedicated to them. It is one of only three such museums in the world.</p> <p>The Match Museum tells the story of matchmaking in Jönköping, which dates back to 1845, as well as across the world. Svenska Tändsticksaktiebolaget, which owned all of Sweden's match factories, once controlled 60-70% of the world's match market. The museum has preserved match-making machines and has opportunities to make one' own matchboxes. There is also a collection of thousands of matchboxes and labels, some of which can be purchased in the gift shop.</p> <p>Surrounding the museum, the Jönköpings Tändsticksfabrik factory as a whole is the world's only completely preserved historic match factory. It is now home to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and even a theater and hotel.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/gmkLOjf2p-QJRQLsNYy8_eczebxa25y-1sXtcZ9l2vQ/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:1536:1024:nowe:0:177/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9jOGJl/MmMxMC1kOWJjLTRk/MjktYWJkNS0wNzNk/MDhjNGU2YTYyMmZi/NDJjMGMwMTM3MWIw/ZGFfMTAwMDEzNTQ5/Mi5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Religion and tradition are deeply connected in Japanese culture, especially with Shintoism where hundreds of not thousands of gods rule over various things. In this case, a spirit looking over Himeji castle is worshiped in the castle itself. </p> <p>The shrine, which is located at the top floor of the castle is dedicated to Osakabehime, a spirit or yokai who is said to be a lonely kitsune, or an illegitimate child of the princess, or an angry courtesan who met her end at the hands of the lord. While this is not known, it is generally agreed that the spirit hates people and stays away from them as much as it can. Only once a year does it meet the local lord to tell him if the castle will stand for another year. This event is celebrated with a  festival. </p> <p>The shrine was always near the castle, but it was moved during the first renovation to a nearby temple. However, ever since this happened bad things occured in the castle, and the shrine was quickly moved back to the courtyard. Later during the restoration in the Showa era, the shine was moved to its current place. It still gets many donations and keeps the castle safe. </p>

<p><img alt="Flipper's memorial " height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/Z4Oj3i_peKGtImRX1imlRP0yhpc1HJv-friAfEFexE8/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:857:571:nowe:29:2/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9iNGY0/MGM3OS1iZTdiLTRj/NTYtOTFmNS0xMmMx/MTFmNTRjNWE2MTI0/NWI4OWUyNGJiMTQ5/MzdfRG9scGhpbi1S/ZXNlYXJjaC1DZW50/ZXItZ2FyZGVuLmpw/Zw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Beneath a life-sized dolphin statue at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL lies Mitzi, the silver-screen legend who starred as the original Flipper series.</p> <p>Her grave, marked by a plaque honoring her as "The Original Flipper," and a larger than life sculpture, is more than a roadside oddity; it is the spiritual heart of the facility and traditionally the first stop on every tour.</p> <p>What makes this site truly wonderful is the living legacy that surrounds it. Rather than a just a memorial, Mitzi rests in a thriving sanctuary where many current inhabitants are the direct descendants of her co-stars. There is also a bench for visitors to relax next to Mitzi.</p> <p>For visitors in 2026, the grave serves as a poignant reminder of how one animal's stardom sparked a global movement for marine conservation and research.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/rGZdalTbxgeUE7VUsJy6XPzK0yAJedr-27vosvpBQV4/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:3024:2016:nowe:0:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy81M2Yx/Zjc1ZS00OGYzLTQ4/MDItODNiMS1jMGEx/NGZmNDdlMjNlYjIy/NTkyNGJkZWMwYzVl/OGNfSU1HXzU1NTlb/MV0uanBn.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Reichsburg Cochem is a hilltop castle in Germany’s Mosel River Valley. It sits on a hill that over looks the city and the neighboring Mosel River. Several vineyards sit along the hillside of the castle and the river which grow the grapes to make the the Riesling wine that the area is famous for.</p> <p>The castle was built in 1130 and in 1151, King Konrad III occupied the castle and declared it an "Imperial Castle". It was later destroyed by French troops in 1689 during the Nine Years' War and afterwards it sat in ruins for nearly two centuries. In 1868 it was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style by German businessman Louis Fredric Ravené.</p> <p>During WWII, ownership of the castle was transferred to the German government and following WWII, it was then transferred to the West German government. In 1978, the city of Cochem bought the castle and it is now the main tourist attraction in the city. The castle is open for tours throughout the day and the views from the castle are breathtaking.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/rCAsJy6b2bI8rQCSvLmqwrHQ-I9JHwlxkDRhVOygNs4/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:6316:4211:nowe:692:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lMTYx/OGU0NS04YmM4LTQz/NzQtOWMyMy0yNjJl/YTA4NDk0ZDk4MmQy/N2QzNTNkZTE2NzIw/NGRfaW1hZ2UuanBl/Zw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Located three Roman miles outside Rome's ancient walls, the Mausoleum of Constantina (Santa Costanza) might just be one of the Eternal City's most unique yet underrated churches. Originally built around 350 by the Emperor Constantine to house the remains of his daughter Constantina, it was part of the much larger Basilica of Saint Agnes, only a small portion of which remains today. Santa Constanza later became a church in its own right, making it one of the few remaining ancient churches of Rome not to be in the structure of a basilica. Instead, it is in a circular plan common among ancient Roman mausoleums.</p> <p>What truly makes Santa Costanza stand out are its mosaics surviving from the 4th century in the apses and ambulatory vault. Some of these mosaics have secular or even pagan themes, giving a glimpse into a time in which Christianity coexisted openly with older religions. The church also once housed two large porphyry sarcophagi, believed to belong to Constantina and her sister Helena. They have since been moved to the Vatican, however a replica of one is still on display here.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/cyoWHthFXG9bQdAohvhVPkHPM3VXKxiET8YHOAteaP0/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:5143:3429:nowe:368:18/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lN2E4/ZTVlNi1lYmFiLTQ3/YzEtODMyMy0zMGFk/YzdlZDhkOTZjNzQ4/ZWFlYjA0NjBkZWE3/OGNfRFNDXzA4NTYu/anBlZw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Taiwan is sometimes jocularly called the “Kingdom of Scooters” due to its being home to the highest density of scooters in the world; statistically speaking, 6 out of 10 people ride a scooter in this country, and the roads in big cities are covered all over with them during rush hour.</p> <p>In Taipei, the morning scooter traffic gets the densest on an unassuming ramp off Taipei Bridge in Datong District, where thousands of riders cascade down onto Minquan West Road every day, carefully avoiding clashing into each other.</p> <p>This so-called “Scooter Waterfall” has not only become an unexpected tourist attraction, offering an opportunity to capture a unique, strangely photogenic sight, but also an icon of Taipei’s busy city life, the chaos of rush hour and all.</p>

<p><img alt="The reclining Buddha" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/QtLqeuu9d4I0xlgZb0LkFqvN1-87-ucusdC__oYA0fI/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:1238:825:nowe:136:764/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9iOTQy/NDQwOS1lNTQzLTQx/ZjAtYmFhZC1mMjg2/MjJlZTc1ZDgzOTAw/NDc4YmQ2ZGQ3MTJj/NGVfTml1c2dvdXNo/YW5fQ3VsdHVyYWxf/UGFyayxfTmFuamlu/ZyxfQ2hpbmFfLV8y/OS5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Beneath the domed summit of Niushoushan Cultural Park lies one of China’s most unexpected sacred spaces: an enormous multi-level Buddhist palace hidden completely underground. Built to echo the mountain’s Tang-dynasty religious heritage, the complex was designed to protect important relics—believed to include a fragment of the Buddha’s skull—once kept on this very peak.</p> <p>Descend through spiraling stone corridors into a surreal, cathedral-like space of illuminated lotus domes, golden halls, and one of the largest underground reclining Buddhas in Asia. Concealed below ground to evoke a hidden mandala-world, the palace blends relic veneration with futuristic architecture, creating an unexpected sacred labyrinth beneath an otherwise tranquil cultural park.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/RCjARKnrsvH7WOs2kJHF-4kf0-ETN4cB_0F4QqP-6kE/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:954:636:nowe:0:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9lNzk0/ZjBjOS1jZjQzLTQw/OGMtOWYxYS01Mjdm/ZDQxNDA3YTRiYTdi/MmIyYzRmZTNiMWEz/OTZfU2NyZWVuc2hv/dCAyMDI1LTEyLTA3/IDE4MDg0MC5wbmc.png" width="300" /></p> <p>Once the ancient capital of Caria, Bodrum (then Halicarnassus) was the birthplace of the father of history, Herodotus, and hosted one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Nowadays, the modern city of Bodrum is steeped in its ancient past and ruins can be found through out. However, one place you may not be expecting to find some of its cultural heritage is in an modern supermarket. </p> <p>Dubbed the "museum market," patrons can visit a 3rd century rock-cut tomb inside a modern CarreFourSA Super. The tomb was discovered during the construction of the market and, rather than relocating the tomb, it was instead integrated as a permanent display after a rescue excavation by the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Antiquities. Robbed during antiquity, a set of six sarcophagi were discovered with only interred human remains and ceramic sherds as their contents.</p> <p>Today, visitors can appreciate this site as a "unique example of cooperation in the protection and display of antiquities in Türkiye" and get their shopping done at the same time.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/0mzltmwn88TF0JPyOLpMf1WRca1Sl8VRkuFK-B5nqYQ/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:1911:1274:nowe:649:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8wNmY5/ZjdmNy03MDIxLTQy/YjItYTg2Ni02Mjdl/OGI3ZDdhMzFlZDlj/NzBmN2JhMDYxMDlh/M2ZfMjAyNTEyMDZf/MTMyODUwLmpwZw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>In the quiet fjord town of Ringkøbing, Denmark, stands a bronze sculpture that few forget after seeing. A massive Western woman sits on the back of a starving African man. In her hands she holds the scales of justice. The work, titled <em>Survival of the Fattest</em>, is a biting critique of global inequality.</p> <p><span id="input-sentence~1" style="background-color: #ffffff; cursor: default;">Danish artist Jens Galschiøt created the 11-foot-tall (3.5-meter) sculpture in 2002. His subject is the allegorical Lady Justice, traditionally shown blindfolded to indicate impartiality. Here, her closed eyes give the impression that she chooses not to see what is happening beneath her.</span><span style="cursor: pointer;"> </span></p> <p><span id="input-sentence~2" style="background-color: #ffffff; cursor: default;">The woman’s bulk rests heavily on the young man below, whose sharply defined ribs and narrow shoulders hint at long-term hunger. </span> A plaque below bears a Danish inscription: <em>“I sit on a man’s back. He is sinking under my burden. I will do everything to help him. Except step down from his back.”</em></p> <p>The sculpture first arrived in Ringkøbing in 2006 as a temporary exhibit. Locals were so moved by its message that they raised funds to buy it. The following year it was installed permanently on the town’s harbor square, where fishing boats and seaside cafés provide a striking contrast to its grim theme.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/U_tDBt6NhlCS1ctUnf4Tob7bP7PPRgDwwu0jju4rOyM/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:4032:2688:nowe:0:3/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy85MGY2/MGRmZS1hYWFiLTQ5/YmQtYTAxMy00M2Zl/MWUyODg2MjMzOTRj/YmQxYWQ2M2NmMWU2/OGVfSU1HXzEzNTAu/anBlZw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Prior to burning down in the 2023 Lahaina fire, the Baldwin Home claimed to be the oldest building on Maui, dating to 1834 or 1835. The problem with that claim is that the Bailey House in Wailuku predates it by just one or two years!</p> <p>Both were originally built by missionaries invited to Hawaii on the bequest of the country's king and chiefs. However, the Bailey House itself was actually a mission school where local girls were educated and taught domestic skills. The house is named after Edward Bailey, a missionary who ran the school from 1844 onwards and is today known for his numerous landscape paintings of Maui. He continued to live here after the school was closed down.</p> <p>Today, the Bailey House survives as a museum run by the Maui Historical Society. In addition to exhibits on the history of the island, there are also ones showcasing some of Edward Bailey's artwork and a recreation of a room in which he lived. Outside are a rare outrigger canoe made from a single koa log and a redwood surfboard which belonged to the legendary Duke Kahanamoku.</p>

<p><img alt="Inside Hangar One" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/22VdhoSa1gACQEBUc12WB0JKxYFivvu8DTsFYmetslY/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:3276:2184:nowe:526:885/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy82YzNl/YjZjYy1hMzgxLTRl/Y2EtYmIwNy0yZmI3/Y2RhZGYxZjA2Njkw/ZmRhYjc0MmUzM2Rk/NjhfSGFuZ2FyIE9u/ZS5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>A massive variety of cars, planes, fire engines, farm equipment, engines, household goods, and toys call this place home. While navigating the museum's property can sometimes feel like wandering through a series of overstuffed garages, the condition and diversity of everything present is impressive and utterly unique. It's impossible to describe everything that's here: cars spanning the Morris Minor to a Ferrari 400I, Air New Zealand airplanes, almost every type of Lego set, a Barbie section, and vintage items like cast-iron banks and typewriters.</p> <p>The toy shop in the main entrance is also the largest in the area with all kinds of model kits, Legos, RC cars, and anything else to keep adults and kids entertained. </p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/ILOWdkhxrxt3anekV2e_SmQIVFKqcVBuePHPbGJ5mQc/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:6440:4293:nowe:1430:479/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy80NTEx/ZTcyZS1mY2FiLTRm/ZDYtYWNhYy0xZTMw/OThhNzBlY2JkMjIy/NDI3ZDU4ZWEzYmUz/ZmZfRFNDXzg5MTMg/My5qcGVn.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>The charming Icelandic town of Akureyi is known for its stunning fjord views, vibrant art scene, and proximity to natural wonders like waterfalls, hot springs, and whale watching. It’s also home to the world’s northernmost Domino’s pizza. At a latitude of 65.688° N, it lies just below the Arctic Circle. </p> <p>Like any other Domino’s in the world, this one offers pickup and delivery and is packed on Friday nights with hungry locals and visitors lining up for pizza. There are gluten-free options, vegan options, and even some Icelandic specialties like the Dóttir, which is topped with bacon, cream cheese, dates, chili and BBQ sauce. </p> <p>It’s not the world’s northernmost pizza chain - that distinction goes to the Pizza Hut/KFC location in Cambridge Bay in Nunavut, Canada (latitude 69°N), nor the world’s northernmost fast food outlet - that’s the Tim Horton’s in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada (latitude 72° N) on Baffin Island. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying your breadsticks while you watch the northern lights or ships in the fjord. Or maybe even dream about a trip to its counterpart, the world’s southernmost Domino’s Pizza. That one is in Punta Arenas, Chile (latitude 53°08′20″S), which also happens to be the southernmost fast-food franchise on Earth.</p>

<p><img alt="Six Hills Burial Mounds, Stevenage" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/wKyJpkVJaDta8XgjLO_G-QErc0lIc3R8GiLFILi0PA0/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:992:661:nowe:334:73/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy85OTQw/YTNiZC1hNjY5LTRj/MmQtOWI0Zi00YmJj/MzJlZTA3NDAyYzJk/MmI5YWI1OWVjM2Rm/ZjdfU0hCTTcuanBl/Zw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Along a busy section of the historic Great North Road in the post-war town of Stevenage sits a series of six Roman burial mounds, also known as barrows or tumuli.</p> <p>Believed to originally have been constructed around 100AD, they likely contain the remains and possessions of a wealthy family. Over the years the hills have been subject to much disturbance - having been dug into several times and had soil removed for use elsewhere, which has resulted in the mounds losing several feet of height over time. Despite this, they have survived remarkably well and are actually the largest group of Roman barrows still standing in England in the present day.</p> <p>For romantics and lovers of a good story, a more fanciful alternative version of the barrows’ history goes as thus: the devil was seeking to amuse himself one day by throwing clumps of earth over his shoulder, which upon landing became the six mounds.</p> <p>An additional detail of the legend is that a mistakenly overzealous throw hit the spire of a local church in the nearby village of Graveley, leaving it askew to this day.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/ZmUmS-xgc_VB_AgVNBuQLBqu87JmeSUvzZHFVQlMDA4/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:1536:1024:nowe:0:225/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy85Mzky/NTIwYy1mNWNiLTRl/OTYtYTgxNi0wZWY3/M2RhZWZlMjQ0ODdj/NDM1YjIzYmUxYjFh/MjdfUG91Y2UtZGVy/ZGF1bWVuLmpwZWc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Directly where the Rhine meets the Moselle, <em>The Thumb</em> rises with quiet confidence near the Ludwig Museum, transforming the tranquil sculpture garden into a moment of playful awe. Created by César Baldaccini, the monumental form is among the most celebrated versions of his original <em>Le Pouce</em> in Paris—an outsized gesture drawn from something deeply personal.</p> <p>Cast from the artist’s own thumb and installed here in the early 1990s, the sculpture balances intimacy with grandeur, inviting visitors to reflect on scale, identity, and the enduring wit of Nouveau Réalisme amid one of Germany’s most storied landscapes.</p>

<p><img alt="Yee Wo Street Circular Bridge" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/Ghs80yHDWalAKsyeuwlb5GJGdS1f9rV83t6anxZTPk0/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:2530:1686:nowe:46:76/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8wOWZi/OTQwOC0xZDY0LTRm/MWQtOTYxMS05OTRl/ZjRiNzk0YmM1MDc3/MmEwNDAzM2VmZDlh/YzlfMTAwMDA3Mzk5/My5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Hong Kong's only circular footbridge is painted in conspicuous light pink hues, its distinct colours and curved shape making it stand out among the straight edges and hushed tones of the surrounding cityscape.</p> <p>The walkway has made many cameos in local TV series and movies, mostly notably the classic Hong Kong gangster film 'Young and Dangerous'. While for Hollywood afficionados, the footbridge will be recognizable from the ending scene of 2017's 'Ghost in the Shell'.</p> <p>Built in 1963, perched above a junction where multiple busy streets meet, it was for many years the only way to traverse this busy crisscross of roads. With the more recent implementation of nearby pedestrian crossings, the footbridge now receives drastically less foot traffic.</p> <p>For photographers, however, the reduced number of people on the raised pathway is a boon. Unobstructed views of two of Hong Kong's busiest street crossings, all while trams, buses, and taxis zip past underfoot, ensure that the Yee Wo Street Footbridge remains one of the best vantage points to capture the city's dynamism.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/e4QJWtusYSKxt-f5IaDEVjtEzNFIWD-T7D7kZSWdyKM/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:2153:1435:nowe:25:39/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8wYTU5/ODViYS00MzFjLTQ3/ODgtODQ1Ny1jMGQz/Y2I0Nzc0Nzk4Nzhm/NTBiOWRkYTQ5OGE4/YWZfaW1hZ2UuanBl/Zw.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>When it opened in 1908, the Old Penitentiary of Sonora was considered one of the cleanest and most modern prisons in Mexico. Constructed during the waning years of the Porfiriato regime, which sought to impose a scientific vision of "order and progress," the prison was part of a broader effort to overhaul Mexican society. This is not to say that unspeakable horrors did not occur there, including the imprisonment of the indigenous Yaqui people and political dissidents against various governments. Also of interest is that Mexico's last execution of civilians, Francisco Ruiz Corrales and José Rosario Zamarripa, occurred here in 1957.</p> <p>Eventually, the once modern prison became crowded and outdated, leading to its closure in 1979. It was subsequently converted to become the Regional Museum of Sonora, reopening in 1985. It houses permanent and exhibitions on various aspects of Sonora and Northwestern Mexico's history and culture. There is also some information on the complex's past usage as a place of imprisonment.</p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/kJ9PUR2ehkyfilDSmCUC8aZscyyRrGTomJlHwBurRo8/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:3435:2290:nowe:75:0/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8yYTBl/MDBiOC02OGE1LTQz/MjUtODY4Ni1jNTVl/MWZmZDk3ZTgzNWE5/NzgwNDhhM2I0MzRk/ZGRfSU1HXzMyNjIt/RURJVC5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>Tyron was home to Tryon Toy Makers, and two employees of the company, Meredith Lankford and Odell Peeler, designed the first large scale Tyron Horse there. The horse was used as an advertisement for the first horse show held at Harmon Field in 1928 and was sponsored by Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. </p> <p>It was made of wood, carried through town for parades, and when its reins were pulled, its head and tail would lift. Unfortunately, the original Morris was detroyed in the 1930s when the Paper Box Factory where it was being stored caught on fire.</p> <p>The current Morris is made of fiberglass and is in the fourth generation of Tyron Horses. It does not travel in parades anymore, but every Christmas, a wreath sponsored by a local business is placed around its neck.  The inspiration for Morris came from a horse-on-wheels toy that was first made in 1916 by the founder of Toy Makers, Eleanor Vance.</p>

<p>What if Atlas Obscura wasn't just a guide, but also a doorway? The Obscura Society invites you into a living, digital world where stories respond, environments listen and curiosity shapes the experience itself.</p> <p>Designed as a living, digital space, The Obscura Society is always on. Guests can drop in from anywhere, at any time, to meet others, share discoveries and take part in unfolding stories, whether they’re visiting through a mobile device, personal computer or VR headset.</p> <p>At the heart of The Obscura Society is an AI bartender who welcomes every guest. Like a great local bar anywhere in the world, they serve imaginative, global drinks such as: Fröccs, Horchata Lojana, Panther Milk, Nectar Soda, Cheese Tea, the Pegu Club Cocktail and more! Share the surprising stories and learn about the cultural origins behind them, all drawn from Atlas Obscura’s vast archive of curiosities.</p> <p>Surrounding visitors of the world is a richly layered space inspired by real places across the globe. Photographs from Atlas Obscura contributors line the walls, while an interactive world map gives you access to the full Atlas Obscura database. From here, portals open into the complete Atlas Obscura VR app, along with pathways to books, articles and other Atlas Obscura experiences.</p> <p>It's an evolving digital world that will continue to change over time as your experience also evolves with each visit to The Obscura Society. Every session offers new conversations, discoveries and opportunities to connect with others as you explore the endlessly strange, wondrous and unexpected stories that define Atlas Obscura.</p> <p></p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/TItJRSLauwMw9xoJcIUugxmSnIQMHvmMPXbIFwtytUw/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:3391:2261:nowe:0:7/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy82ZDgy/ZjhjMy1kYWY1LTRm/YTgtYmQ0Yy0yOTU1/MTc3MjdjMTdlMThm/OWNhNDVkOTYyZjY0/ODdfSU1HXzcyMDEg/Mi5qcGVn.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>“My companions went onward, and I remained behind, trembling with dread—and I felt as though a great, boundless scream passed through nature.”<br /> — Edvard Munch, 1892</p> <p>Before The Scream became the iconic image we know today, Munch first tried to capture his experience in words. In the winter of 1892, he recorded this poem in his diary after walking along this hillside road with friends:</p> <p>I walked along<br /> the road with two<br /> companions — then<br /> the sun went down.</p> <p>The sky was suddenly<br /> turned to blood-red —<br /> I halted, leaned<br /> upon the railing,<br /> weary unto death — over<br /> the blue-black fjord and town<br /> there lay blood and<br /> tongues of fire. </p> <p>My companions<br /> went onward, and I<br /> remained behind,<br /> trembling with dread —<br /> and I felt as though<br /> a great, boundless<br /> scream passed<br /> through Nature.</p> <p>Munch often wandered this area, now part of the suburb of Bekkelaget, and repeatedly returned to its landscapes in both writing and paint. Although the first version of The Scream was completed in Berlin, there is little doubt about the source of its haunting background: the view from the slopes of Ekeberg overlooking Oslo and the fjord. </p> <p>His deep attachment to nature, combined with lifelong anxiety and a family history of mental illness, likely shaped the emotional force of the painting. Around the time he wrote the diary entry, Munch’s manic depressive sister Laura — was being treated in various psychiatric institutions, eventually becoming a patient at Oslo Hospital, located at the foot of Ekeberg hill, just below the view point.</p> <p>Located southeast of Oslo’s city center, Ekebergskrenten is easy to reach. Just 15 minutes with public transportation from downtown. Two bus lines service the area, the closest stop is only 200 meters away. </p>

<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/Q05i1bc1cWHJLU5H37Tc8lGXGxt9S4h64Wh3Md-23Uw/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:2312:1541:nowe:551:1347/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8zOGQx/OTY3ZC1jZjU2LTRl/NDAtOWUwOC0zODVk/NWY0OWU2NDkwYTc3/YjY2NTAyMDdlZWQ1/YTVfUF8yMDE5MDcz/MV8yMDI2NDYuanBn.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>The Bavarian maypole is an age old tradition going back for centuries, originally erected as a symbol for all that grows and bears fruit but now is  a symbol of wealth and pride for the community that sets it up.</p> <p>The tradition dates back to the 13th century and ever since each community tried to outdo the others by erecting the tallest and straightest maypole. The associations that make them scout for the best trees weeks in advance, fell them and hide it away. The pole is then decorated with Bavarian colors and little signs on each side that denote what the community is proud of. This can be monuments, certain shops and even things like a recent metro station. </p> <p>The poles get erected on the first of May during a large spring festival where the pole gets hoisted up by hand to proclaim the greatness of the location. However neighboring communities often try to steal their rivals’ pole, which is not illigal but also part of the tradition. Because if they manage, they can ransom the pole for technically anything they want, usually large quantities of beer and food.</p> <p>The most amazing maypole theft ever was in 2004 in Zugspitze, where a daring Bavarian stole a 20m maypole with a helicopter, flying it to an Alpine hut where a ransom was set.</p>

<p><img alt="Celadon wares" height="200" src="https://img.atlasobscura.com/7B_DqwEaWjsX41JyYMaQBCgO5ybdM5rohLmSf0NOVTM/rs:fill:300:200:1/g:ce/c:1226:817:nowe:109:213/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy8zOWE0/N2Y5Ny02NTU4LTQ4/ZjYtYjM3OC0wYmUy/MTExNTM3M2M3Mjgy/YWVmYTE4NmM3ZTMy/ZTNfMTAwMDA3MjIy/MC5qcGc.jpg" width="300" /></p> <p>In 2014, construction work for the Sung Wong Toi MTR station unearthed six ancient wells and a plethora of relics dating from the Song-Yuan period (960 - 1368).</p> <p>The surprise discovery prompted the government to suspend construction for 11 months, allowing for an archaeological team to fully excavate the site. The delay cost over 3 billion HK dollars, but lead to one of the region's largest archaeological finds, with the discovery of over 700,000 artifacts.</p> <p>The station's location was originally a small hill on the Kowloon coastline, known as Sacred Hill. According to legend, two young monarchs of the Southern Song dynasty evaded a Mongol onslaught by fleeing to the hill, leading to area to be named 'Sung Wong Toi', meaning 'Terrace of the Song Emperors'.</p> <p>Perched atop Sacred Hill was a giant rock, inscripted with the Chinese characters 'Sung Wong Toi'. The rock was a well-known tourist destination, but was almostly completely levelled to allow for the expansion of the former Kai Tak Airport during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. The section of rock bearing the inscription survived the Japanese army's blasting, and was subsequently cut out of the boulder in 1956. This inscribed rectangular stone slab now stands in neighbouring Sung Wong Toi Garden.</p> <p>The Treasures from Sacred Hill exhibit first opened in 2021, and was expanded in 2024 to showcase around 500 artifacts discovered on-site. Among the more notable pieces in the collection are the collection of wine containers, vases and incense burners.</p> <p>For those venturing from Sung Wong Toi station to nearby Kowloon City or the Walled City Park, be sure to examine the Treasures from Sacred Hill Exhibition before leaving the station's paid area. The historical value and splendid intricacies of the exhibit's artifacts are engrossing, as is the oddity of seeing ancient, museum-worthy relics on display in the middle of a modern underground train station.</p>