All Stories

The Downtown Hotel's famous "Sourtoe Cocktail" is now missing its garnish.

A 13th-century conflict between faith and science ultimately led to a surprising outcome: a medieval multiverse theory.

A hidden passage led investigators to a collection of 75 astonishing objects.

Whales, bats, and birds have local dialects.

Monitor lizard genitalia have been sold as Hatha Jodi, a tantric root thought to bring good luck.

Back in the 16th century, the "Leo Belgicus" helped the Netherlands win a long war for independence.

Louie the Lobster spent the last 20 years living in a clam bar's tank.

It was, in fact, an inflatable stormtrooper.

Thomas Edison knew his audience.

The bill was supposed to feature explorer William Clark instead.

The striking Presidio Modelo once housed Fidel Castro.

In some cities, temperatures may breach 120°F this week.

It's in relatively good shape, for a centuries-old sword.

Atlas Obscura readers took quite the trip down memory lane this week.

It had been replaced—quite unsuccessfully—once before.

The brains of the patron saint of stage magicians have been recovered.

After a 500-year absence, two of the toothy mammals are now sniffing around a local pond.

Fred Gwynne left a wonderfully goofy literary legacy.