Obscura Day 2015 has arrived!
We've been working diligently at Atlas Obscura for months, compiling unique and wondrous locations around the world and dreaming up unusual events in a widespread call for our readers to unite on a single, glorious day in an international celebration of curiosity and discovery. That day is finally here, and thousands of people across the globe have signed up to participate in 150+ Obscura Day events taking place in more than 35 states and 30 countries. From seeking out the lost Oracle of Dionysus in Bulgaria to tracking the hidden waterways of the the world's longest cave, learning falconry in the desert of Southern California to attending an intimate concert inside a Norwegian mausoleum, this year's lineup of Obscura Day events is sure to inspire your sense of wonder.
Follow our adventures through out the day and share your own with us as well—the more we explore, the more we uncover a world full of incredible things just waiting to be discovered, be they across an ocean or around the corner! Check back all day as we update this post with your adventures.
10:02 a.m.
Checkin' out the Explorers Club with @atlasobscura#ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/Co0YngNuOQ
— Greenie D. McGee (@greenietravels) May 30, 2015
It's finally here! We had some excitement in the office in the run-up, as a few celebrities (hi Pee-wee!) tweeted out support. But mostly, we are excited to see what people get up to. For instance, I had no idea about this.
The designer of Detroit's flag, Jewish legislator and civic leader David Heineman, is buried at Woodmere. #ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/KRtdUIP6EN
— amy elliott bragg (@thenighttrain) May 30, 2015
And in Germany, they were just setting up:
Everything's set for #ObscuraDay! pic.twitter.com/J13z2yTFiI
— MPI-CBG Dresden (@mpicbg) May 30, 2015
Even cats wanted to come!
In England, there were some lovely cemetery sightings:
10:16 a.m.
So true
Some fascinating tidbits from trip inside the invite-only Explorer's Club
#ObscuraDay@ExplorersClub: membership immed. if you have stepped foot somewhere no one else has, possible candidacy w/ contrib. to canon
— Lauren Stewart (@laurenstewartTO) May 30, 2015
#ObscuraDay@ExplorersClub: 3,000+ members in 27 chapters around the world.
— Lauren Stewart (@laurenstewartTO) May 30, 2015
And then, in Switzerland, some bones were examined:
@atlasobscura at the Zürich Moulagenmuseum with @Tweetsalagaz#ObscuraDay#disfigurementpic.twitter.com/Cihmg5w8R1
— Tom Williamson (@Antomadness) May 30, 2015
New Jersey, of course, was full of clowns:
2015 international #obscuraday at #morrismuseum today featuring Crazy Clown Automata from the #GuinnessCollection!!! pic.twitter.com/nPvOZufnDp
— Guinness Curator (@GuinnessCurator) May 30, 2015
10:38 a.m.
Now it feels like Obscura Day has really gotten started—as some tours in different time zones have already happened (Australia began around midnight EST), some are beginning. Like the one in D.C. led by our CEO, David Plotz.
Lots of educating happening.
Have just learned via @atlasobscura there is a World Taxidermy Championship. Of course there is. #ObscuraDay2015
— Geeky Girl Engineer (@gkygirlengineer) May 30, 2015
And as I sit in my living room, a real case of FOMO has set in. The Roman catacombs, for instance, look pretty great.
#obscuraday at the catacombs pic.twitter.com/gWMmKDxjHE
— ISAR (@isar_rome) May 30, 2015
11:15 a.m.
Things are getting pretty real over at New York's Explorer's Club.
#ExplorersClub#ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/13XzlTG8zU
— Lisa Jones (@fastdog) May 30, 201511:33 a.m.
Meanwhile, over in Oslo, Chris Pettersen and co. are getting to check out the weird death-egg of Emanuel Vigeland in the Vigeland Mausoleum.
11:40 a.m.
Eat your heart out House of Cards! On Obscura Day we actually tour the underbelly of Washington DC!
Finally toured @DupontUndergrnd! So much potential! Thanks @atlasobscura#ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/3X1Z64h5L3
— Nikolas Schiller (@NikolasSchiller) May 30, 201512:00 p.m.
One of our favorite Muffler Men in all of America is getting some rainy Obscura Day love!
12:15 p.m.
OMG FALCON TIME WITH FALCON FORCE!
12:21 p.m.
We've all learned not to bury anything in a pet cemetery, but touring one is totally fascinating.
Exploring Hartsdale Pet Cemetery for #ObscuraDay: pic.twitter.com/WulMa3gh1q
— Ella Morton (@ellamorton) May 30, 201512:42 p.m.
Let it never be said the curious of Massachusetts will miss an opportunity to tour a castle.
@atlasobscura Hammond Castle, Gloucester, MA #obscuradaypic.twitter.com/CxKfvSRJ3W
— N Ben (@nlbenj) May 30, 201512:50 p.m.
Our very own Rachel Doyle has discovered the cavernous majesty of the Brooklyn Army Terminal.
12:57 p.m.
This clown found on our private tour of the Morris Museum in New Jersey is making fun of everyone who isn't there.
Getting private tour today .@MorrisMuseumNJ behind Guinness Viewable storage area, where auomata live #ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/Eb2fbH89cK
— Bob Karp (@BobKarpDR) May 30, 20151:01 p.m.
Jay Morgan's enthusiasm for the Capitol Stones pretty much sums up how we feel about the wonders of the world.
The capitol stones @atlasobscura#ObscuraDaypic.twitter.com/vk5nOXk6LC
— Jay Morgan (@jeighmorg) May 30, 20152:15 p.m.
The bottle art homage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, at Randyland in Los Angeles, is beautiful!
