April 02, 2021

Life-Saving Architectural Features The island of Bermuda is among the most densely populated countries on Earth, supporting almost 65,000 people—without any natural sources of fresh water. Turns out the solution is right above your head. Bermudians are some of the most water-conscious people in the Western world, and this consciousness is built into their homes. The blindingly white, limestone Bermuda Roof—an architectural rain-catch concept with roots dating back to the 17th century—is singularly responsible for making human life possible in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA Kosher Sake Tucked within the mountains of Japan’s Gifu prefecture, in the middle of Takayama, lies Funasaka Sake Brewery. Inside is a surprise: Funasaka sells top-notch kosher sake. Less than one percent of the Japanese population identifies as Jewish, but the land-locked prefecture welcomes more than 10,000 Israeli travelers annually. Why do so many Israelis visit the modestly sized city? The roots of the influx go back to World War II, when Chiune Sugihara, a local of Gifu, took action in a way that earned him the honorific “Righteous Among the Nations” from the state of Israel. READ MORE → THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST The Swedish Art of Kulning Tune in to a music-centric episode today, where reporter Abbey Perreault takes us into the world of kulning. For centuries, herdswomen in Northern Sweden have used this art to lure cows home with haunting melodies. MANHATTAN, NEW YORK City Hall Station The first New York City subway was built and operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) and opened on October 27, 1904. The City Hall station on the IRT local track was lavished with fine architectural details, including glass tiles and large chandeliers. However, the Gustavino vaulted ceilings and skylights were lost on busy commuters, and the stop was one of the least-used in the system. In 1945, the station was closed. READ MORE → FROM THE ARCHIVES Historic Dishes Born From Tough Times History is filled with examples of cooks getting creative in times of hardship. From the crispy burger born during the Great Depression to the simple delights of “desperation pies,” here are seven delicious dishes born from tough times that you can make at home. Most involve ingredients that you can find in your kitchen. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES In Case You Missed It We’ve added a bunch of new spring courses, just for you! Why not pick up a new skill to impress your friends? From dabbling in historical mixology to learning how to become bug detectives, we’ve got you covered. Come expand your world today. ENROLL NOW → OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND The Bridge to Nowhere In 1918, businessman Lord Leverhulme purchased some land here. He was passionate about generating jobs and opportunities for those living in the Western Isles; to achieve this, a road was needed from the village of Tolsta to Ness. But once Leverhulme designed the bridge, he realized that the terrain and the harsh weather made building a road a tricky task, and so conceded defeat, ending the project. Today, visitors can drive over the bridge, but it’s almost an immediate turnaround. READ MORE → How to Beat Cow Burps How scary are cow burps, exactly? Measured by their planet-warming power, methane-filled livestock belches are the equivalent of 850 coal plants burning year-round. But scientists have found that spicing up cattle feed with a little seaweed can dramatically reduce the methane they produce. A recent study shows that when 21 beef cattle ate a little bit of seaweed—less than a cup—mixed in with their feed each day, they burped out 82 percent less methane. READ MORE → HELFAUT, FRANCE La Coupole This is La Coupole: a one-million-ton dome constructed on the side of a chalk quarry with underground storage for the rockets, fuel supply, a liquid oxygen production facility, electricity generators and housing for the garrison. It’s a massive remnant of World War II, and is the earliest known precursor to modern underground missile silos. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS A Mexico City Culinary Adventure We've just added new dates for a September departure to Mexico City, where we'll immerse ourselves in the complex cultural identity of a metropolis where pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary influences collide. We’ll explore mouthwatering local gastronomy, celebrating the harmony as well as the dissonance that define this layered city, which thrums with the activity of a large population of regional migrants and modern transplants alike. From street food to contemporary Mexican dining trends, traditional restaurants to meals in local homes, our focus throughout will be food and the people who make it. LEARN MORE →