aesballard's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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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.
michaelsballard Added by michaelsballard
Damascus, Syria

Umayyad Mosque

Also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus, this is one of the world's largest and oldest mosques.
Mac Carey Added by Mac Carey
Damascus, Syria

October War Panorama

3D war panorama in Damascus built with help from North Korea.
LeahC Added by LeahC
Aleppo, Syria

The Citadel of Aleppo

One of the oldest and largest castles in the world.
Borisborough Added by Borisborough
Palmyra, Syria

Palmyra

Mysterious lost empire of the Silk Road.
Added by heatherdoodle
Hama, Syria

Norias of Hama

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

Krak des Chevaliers

Ruins of the Crusaders' headquarters.
stanestane Added by stanestane
Busra, Syria

Black Amphitheater of Bosra

One of the world's best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is also one of the most unusual; it's made of black volcanic rock.
michaelsballard Added by michaelsballard
Ras Angela, Tunisia

Ras Angela

The northernmost point of continental Africa—or is it?
Max Cortesi Added by Max Cortesi
Willemstad, Curaçao

The Abandoned Pietermaai Mansions

The mouldering manses of wealthy colonials still pock the streets of a Curaçao neighborhood.
Luke J Spencer Added by Luke J Spencer
Willemstad, Curaçao

Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue

The floor of the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas is entirely covered in sand.
taotaoholmes Added by taotaoholmes
Antigua, Guatemala

California Avocado Plaque

Believe it or not, the now-ubiquitous California avocado originated in Guatemala.
rudygiron Added by rudygiron
Soufriere, Dominica

Bubble Beach Spa

Thermal springs underneath the seabed provide the heat and bubbles for these beachside natural hot tubs.
Added by Princesza
Ronda, Spain

Puente Nuevo

One of the most spectacular bridges in Spain spans a narrow chasm that divides the city of Ronda.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Barcelona, Spain

Palau Güell

One of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest buildings, built between 1886 and 1890 for the industrialist Eusebi Güell.
Luis Morato Added by Luis Morato
Birmingham, Alabama

Statue of Vulcan

A 56-foot tall statue of the god of fire looks out over Birmingham, Alabama.
Dylan Added by Dylan
Jenner, California

Fort Ross

The southernmost outpost of the Russian Empire in colonial America.
LameDuck99 Added by LameDuck99
Tokyo, Japan

Sengaku-Ji

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.
Added by IgCwdBd5
Tokyo, Japan

Transparent Restroom

These unique toilets feature transparent glass covered in PDLC film.
Fred Cherrygarden Added by Fred Cherrygarden
Naha, Japan

Shuri Castle

The seat of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom has survived numerous fires and wars over the centuries.
Added by rgarx2
Hong Kong

Noonday Gun

This naval gun is fired every day at noon, an odd timekeeping tradition the origin of which is local legend.
Jaszmina Szendrey Added by Jaszmina Szendrey
Singapore

Henderson Waves

The highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore looks like a series of undulating waves rising between two public parks.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell
Singapore

House of Tan Teng Niah

This house is one of the most colorful in the country, and is the last remaining example of a historic villa.
FrustratedFormerContributor Added by FrustratedFormerContributor
Singapore

Soy Sauce Bottles of Sultan Mosque

A ring of soy sauce bottle bases decorate an important Singaporean landmark.
Added by tanahpek