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Geneva, Switzerland

Mère Royaume

On the side of a building, a depiction of the woman who became a local legend by tossing soup out her window.
Snow globes were invented at the turn of the 20th century but didn't often feature Christmas characters until after World War II.
objects of intrigue

This Family Gave the World the Snow Globe

But did they create the famous one with a starring role in Citizen Kane?
Carole Rosenblat December 15, 2022
This short snorter belonged to Tom Farrow, a member of the 384th Bomb Squadron taken prisoner in Germany during World War II. These 19 bills are a snapshot of his experience in the war.
objects of intrigue

How to Spot a 'Short Snorter'

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Marlene Dietrich both belonged to this unusual club.
Caroline Eubanks December 14, 2022
Activist and traditional Mayan beekeeper Leydy Pech fought one of the biggest titans in commercial agriculture—and won.
restaurants

7 Trailblazing Women from Every Continent

In 2022, we traveled the globe to share the stories of powerful warriors, fearless activists, and more.
Sarah Durn December 13, 2022
Families were raised and communities created in the migrant camps of Yakima Valley, Washington.
culture

How Photos Tell the Story of a Migrant Farm Community to a New Generation

“I see the collection as a tool for uncovering what is already there."
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing December 8, 2022
Today, an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 outdoor staircases remain in the city.
architecture

The Twisty History of Montreal's Outdoor Staircases

Immigrants, artisans, economics, and the Catholic Church all played a role.
Laura Kiniry December 7, 2022
Can garlic help you win a soccer match?
sports

5 Must-Read Football (or Soccer) Stories

Who needs the World Cup when we have so many con men, trendsetters, superstitions, and architectural rivalries?
April White December 6, 2022
libraries

Podcast: Library of Congress Hair Collection

Locks from everyone, from Ludwig van Beethoven to Ulysses S. Grant.
The Podcast Team December 6, 2022
nature

Thoughtful, Surprising Last-Minute Gifts

A gift guide from the Atlas Obscura team.
Atlas Obscura December 2, 2022
Cessford, Scotland

Cessford Castle

The ruins of a 15th-century castle that has seen its fair share of bitter feuds.
Mexico City, Mexico

Plaza Valentín Gómez Farías

Named after a Mexican president, who once lived nearby, this park in a residential Mexico City neighborhood packs a whole lot of history into a small space.
The Syrian Cassette Archives website currently hosts 91 fully digitized cassettes, including interviews with artists and distributors.
music

The Quest to Preserve Syria's Cassette Tape Era

Keeping sounds, stories, and cultural memory alive through years of conflict.
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing November 29, 2022
When James Dunsdon discovered the now-rare Higgins boat on the shores of Shasta Lake, it sat above the water line, almost as if it had just made a beach landing during a World War II invasion.
military history

How Did a World War II Boat End Up at the Bottom of a California Lake?

The discovery, retrieval, and mysterious history of a ‘ghost boat.’
April White November 23, 2022
The Grady sisters, from Stanley Kubrick's <em>The Shining</em>, played by Lisa and Louise Burns, are among the most iconic pop culture twins.
haunted

The Psychology Behind Why Identical Twins Inspire Fascination—and Fear

A history of othering, experimentation, and mystery.
Sarah Durn November 22, 2022
The low angle of the winter sun creates a perfect shadow of the iconic Mont Saint-Michel abbey on the water.
maps

From Space, Mont Saint-Michel Stars in a Wild Impressionist Painting

During the winter months, the iconic French site casts a perfect shadow on a bay full of history—and quicksand.
Gemma Tarlach November 22, 2022
Lowriders are generally customized by their owners. The "SJ" on this '63 Chevy Impala is short for San Jose. The car owner also chose the color teal to celebrate the San Jose Sharks hockey team.
automotive history

After a Decades-Long Ban, San Jose's Lowriders Are Ready to Cruise Again

This vibrant culture never faded away in the city's Mexican American community.
Line Sidonie Talla Mafotsing November 18, 2022
objects of intrigue

Was This King Charles I’s Death Vest?

It is said the English monarch wore the sleeved waistcoat at his public execution in 1649.
April White November 17, 2022
Weston, Massachusetts

Golden Ball Tavern

This historic Massachusetts tavern played a critical role in the start of the American Revolution.