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Made of paper, bamboo, and found items, enormous, fearsome ogoh-ogoh figures are carried during Ngrupuk parades the night before Balinese New Year and then burned.
mythology

Meet the Creatures and Creators Behind Bali’s Parade for Banishing Evil Spirits

On the night before the Balinese New Year, villagers bring monsters to life—and then burn them.
Roxanne Hoorn May 1, 2024
Ogbunike, Nigeria

Ogbunike Caves

Legend has it these caves were created by a deity called Ogba, who is said to live inside the winding subterranean caverns.
A dingonek has seemingly impenetrable, armadillo-like scales, a powerful tail, and very sharp teeth.
cryptozoology

The Man-Eating Dingonek Lurks Beneath East Africa’s Rivers

The 18-foot-long, dog-headed beast-fish didn't seem so unbelievable to Africa's early white colonizers.
April White April 29, 2024
Kouklia, Cyprus

Aphrodite's Rock

This sea stack in Cyprus is traditionally seen as the birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite.
Neo Chorio, Cyprus

Aphrodite's Bath

Legend holds that the Ancient Greek goddess of love once bathed in the waters of this grotto.
Syracuse, Italy

Fountain of Arethusa

According to Greek mythology, this natural spring is the home of a freshwater nymph.
Nice, France

Fontaine du Soleil (The Sun Fountain)

This saucy statue once caused outrage among locals.
Takia, Oman

'What Is It?'

This mysterious anthropomorphic statuette is on display at the National Museum of Oman.
Artist's impression of the Milky Way.
science

Podcast: Marching Through the Galaxy With Moiya McTier

The award-winning astrophysicist and folklorist takes us on a tour of the Milky Way.
The Podcast Team March 21, 2024
Laconia, Greece

Pyramid on Mount Taygetos

The top of the holy mountain for the ancient Spartans looks like a pyramid—is it man-made or a natural phenomenon?
In Norse mythology, the wolves Sköll and Hati were hungry for the Sun and Moon.
mythology

Behold Rahu, the Beheaded Asura, and Other Eclipse Monsters of Yore

From cosmic serpents to demon warriors, these creatures have been blamed for messing with the Sun and Moon.
Robert Lamb March 11, 2024
mythology

Podcast: Stone of Destiny

An unassuming rock in a Scottish bar may have quite a royal history.
The Podcast Team February 21, 2024
In the waters beyond La Palma's Cumbre Nueva mountains (shown here), San Borondón is said to appear to the west of the Canary Islands archipelago.
haunted

In the Canary Islands, a Mysterious Phantom Isle Haunts Local Imagination

The legend of San Borondón all started with an Irish saint.
Cat Rainsford February 9, 2024
List

29 Dragon Places for the Lunar New Year

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with temple-scaling serpents, fire-breathing bridges, and everything in between.
Michelle Cassidy February 5, 2024
Lava from Mount Etna could hit 10 different municipalities.
volcanoes

Europe’s Most Active Volcano Is Also the World’s Only Decipoint

The many eruptions isn't the only reason Mount Etna is unique.
Frank Jacobs February 2, 2024
Maysville, Colorado

Angel of Shavano

This distinctive snowfield on the slopes of a Colorado fourteener has several legendary origin stories.
The mysterious Bigfoot
mythology

10 Places to Visit If You Want to Believe in Bigfoot

Even if you’re not convinced cryptids exist, these spots will offer a fascinating look into the minds of those who are.
Atlas Obscura January 18, 2024
mythology

The Christmas Goblins of Greece Play Devious Tricks All the Way Till January

But don’t worry—polar plunges and putting children in ovens helps banish them.
Vittoria Traverso December 22, 2023