Author: Ms. R.

Jack, a stocky cattle dog with a graying face that blends into his blue, mottled coat, struts down the mossy trails of western Oregon with purpose. On or off leash, his focus is keenly attuned to his handler and partner, Collette Yee. And it’s not just the yellow dog toy in her hands that draws his attention. The two can read each other’s most subtle cues, and have an unbreakable bond built on years of expert training, mutual reliance,……

Read More

The Basilica of St. Valentine in Terni, Italy, is decorated appropriately around February 14th—in fact, the entire city is decorated for the month of February. Terni styles itself as the “City of Lovers,” because of its patron saint, Valentine. But Terni’s Saint Valentine here is the former Bishop of Terni, while the Saint Valentine traditionally associated with lovers is Saint Valentine of Rome. In early listings of martyrs by the Catholic Church, these were listed as two separate individuals…….

Read More

Railroads, of course, were fundamental to 19th-century industrialization, and remain important even today. Pennsylvania was at the heart of the United States railroad development in the 19th century. Pennsylvania coal largely fueled the locomotives, and the state’s iron and steel industry furnished much of the infrastructure. In addition, the Baldwin Locomotive Works, outside Philadelphia, was the top U.S. producer of steam locomotives for decades in the latter 19th century. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania highlights this history. Locomotives, rolling stock,……

Read More

Pero’s Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most surprising and, at the same time, functional monuments in the center of Bristol. Its shapes are unmistakable and its appeal is subtle but real. This distinctive pedestrian footbridge in Bristol, England, holds cultural and historical significance. Completed in 1999, the bridge was named in honor of Pero Jones, an enslaved African who lived in the city during the 18th century. The bridge, which connects the harborside with the city center was……

Read More

This stupendous structure is all that remains of the imposing Blachernae Palace, home of the Byzantine emperors who ruled Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) for more than a millennium. Known in Turkish as Tekfur Sarayı or “Palace of the Sovereign,” this once imposing, 13th-century palace is now a shadow of its former glory. The palace’s name likely refers to Constantine Palaiologos, a Byzantine prince and son of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. The porphyrogenitus title (literally “purple-born“) was bestowed on any……

Read More

If you find everything on your loved ones’ wishlists online this year, you might miss out on the most interesting part of the holiday experience—stores themselves. Or maybe not. Our gift to you this holiday season: the best shopping stories from the Atlas Obscura archives, so you can explore tales of architecture, linguistics, subcultures, secrets, and yes, cats—without leaving home. Meet the Proud Shoppers of Aldi’s ‘Aisle of Shame’ by Sara Murphy If you ever hear “caw-caw!” sound in……

Read More

When it comes to finding the perfect gift for the gastronomically obsessed friend, partner, or weird aunt in your life, the only real challenge is having too many options. In the past at Gastro Obscura, we’ve reached for the mathematically efficient Christmas cookie cutters or a heat-resistant bowl for a cauldron of favorite flaming punch. This year, our editors eyed everything from the practical (kitchen knives forged from Chinese artillery shells) to the whimsical (an oddly luxurious leather shrimp……

Read More

“It’s just crazy–it’s a crazy story,” says Thai cookbook writer and journalist Chawadee Nualkhair. “And apparently it’s true! Or, that’s what we all believe.” She’s referring to the tumultuous life of Maria Guyomar de Pinha (1664–1728), known in Thailand as Thao Thong Kip Ma and sometimes called “the Queen of Thai Desserts.” In the Siamese court of the late 17th century, Guyomar experienced a meteoric rise followed by an equally dramatic fall, and Thai cuisine would never be the……

Read More

Colonies of two-foot-tall African penguins gather along the continent’s southwestern coast and islands, at times forming a seemingly endless sea of what appear to be nearly identical individuals. Researchers who study the birds rely on the smattering of spots across each bird’s white chests to tell them apart—but they’re not the only ones. The penguins themselves use these dots, too, to identify their lifelong mates, according to a recent study in Animal Behavior. “Especially in birds, people focus on……

Read More

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway station located in Mumbai. It is one of the busiest and most iconic railway stations in the country and serves as a major transportation hub in India and its surrounding areas. The station is renowned for its stunning architecture, which blends Victorian Gothic and traditional Indian styles. The construction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus began in 1878 and was completed in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of……

Read More