fair food
How a Big Block of Butter Becomes a Masterpiece
Inside the centuries-old art of transforming butter into dragons, cows, and princesses.
All Stories
community center
Podcast: Growing the Atlas
Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
fascism
The Curious Afterlife of a Fascist Utopia
What's next for this architectural wonder hidden in the swamps of northern Italy?
ancient vessels
Saving the Ancient Glass Artifacts Shattered in the Beirut Explosion
These centuries-old vessels now have new stories to tell.
plaques
Podcast: Fairhaven Historic Markers
Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
war fare
Remembering When America Banned Sliced Bread
During World War II, the U.S. government turned to drastic rationing measures.
slavery
Podcast: Elmina Castle
Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
american south
What’s Inside the New Gastro Obscura Vending Machine?
The second iteration is filled with rare and unexpected treats from the American South.
letters
Podcast: The Loneliest Post Office
Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
birds
Podcast: Parrots of Green-Wood Cemetery
Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
pandemic
Why Birds Changed Their Tune During the Pandemic
We don't know if they'll ever sing their old songs again.
trucks
Pakistan's Trucks Are Vibrant, Bedazzled Works of Art
The tradition of decorating any mode of transportation—from camels to ice cream carts—dates back centuries.
crafts
How a Bedouin Tracker Sees the Desert
On a seemingly blank, sandy canvas, signs and symbols abound.
queer history
Podcast: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Summer in New York City doesn't really kick off until the nautical procession gets underway.
dessert
Meet the Bakers Giving Mooncakes a Modern Twist
When it comes to these treats, trends trump tradition.
story
Spanish Wine, Off the Beaten Path
Atlas Obscura Trip Leader Danny Adler speaks about the wonders of Catalonia’s wine regions and our "Spain: Avant-Garde Winemaking in Catalonia” adventure.
queens
The Mughal Women Who Wouldn’t Stay in the Harem
From musket-wielding empress Nur Jahan to writer Gulbadan Begum, meet the influential women of the early-modern Muslim empire.
