The Wonders of Obscura Day 2016, in Photos

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Attendees of the Secret Garden Party at Marble Cemetery in New York, by one of the winners of our photo contest, Christine Catalano. 

Secret garden parties and cemetery tours. Tunneling and tree-climbing. Abandoned zoos and ghost signs. These are just some of the experiences that occurred around the world on April 16, 2016—Obscura Day.

Across 25 different countries, 160 events took place to celebrate the undiscovered and rarely seen. Fortunately for us, our intrepid attendees have been sending in their photos from the day as part of the Obscura Day Photo Contest. We’ve now chosen our top 10 submissions and each winner will receive a copy of the upcoming Atlas Obscura book. We also added in a few extra favorites from Instagram, because who can resist the opportunity to glimpse a global celebration of wonder?

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The Mundaneum in Mons, Belgium by Robin Charlebois

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Pasaquan in Buena Vista, GA by Neva Watford

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Backstage at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles, by Elissa James

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Nota Roja Walking Tour in Mexico City by Javier Cuervo

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The Many Peculiarities of the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, PA by Mo Manklang

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Secret Garden Party at Marble Cemetery, NY by Nathan Williams 

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Warlock Mine and Tunnel Tour, CA by Brian Riggs

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Tree Climbing With a Canopy Expert in Franklin, TN by Stephanie Schrenk 

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Patarei Prison in Tallinn, Estonia by Peeter Kuus

 

The #ObscuraDay hike to Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point, led by #CaseySchreiner of @modernhiker - great hike, great day, great people. #hikela @atlasobscura

A photo posted by April Economides (@aprileileen5) on Apr 17, 2016 at 7:20am PDT

 

Exploring abandoned villas and dodging security and missing railings on #ObscuraDay #Beijing @atlasobscura

A photo posted by Anne Sherman (@annesher07) on Apr 16, 2016 at 3:31am PDT 

 

behind the scenes at the local baby jesus repair shop. 🏥 #obscuraday #littlemexico #queens

A photo posted by brittany jones (@brittanyjones) on Apr 17, 2016 at 1:10pm PDT

 

The #chuchoftype in #santamonica is a special place. I have a newfound appreciation for #letterpress and #typesetting after visiting, part of #obscuraday 's tour bonanza. #obscurasociety #obscurasocietylosangeles #kevinbradley #churchoftypography

A photo posted by Daniel P. (@pennyroyal_dee) on Apr 16, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

 

Bollard down. Bollard down. #bollard #dtla #ObscuraDay

A photo posted by Anthony Boyer (@anthonyboyerddo) on Apr 16, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

 

#atlasobscura #tbilisiphoto #obscuraday

A photo posted by ∆ɳɳ (@ani_sv) on Apr 16, 2016 at 8:37am PDT

 

In the guts of the Navy Yard today. #obscuraday #atlasobscura

A photo posted by Clarke Boehling (@standbackforexciter) on Apr 16, 2016 at 10:03am PDT

 

Pedal Bear!

A photo posted by Jaime (@exterminaaate) on Apr 16, 2016 at 3:25pm PDT

 

Obscura Day 2016! Former operating theater at Exploring the Eerie Eastern State Penitentiary #obscuraday #atlasobscura #easternstate #easternstatepenitentiary #oddities #curiosities

A photo posted by 🕷Susurrus Din🕸 (@susurrusdin) on Apr 16, 2016 at 8:30am PDT

 

16/4/16, London. St Stephen's Hall, Palace of #westminster

A photo posted by Diana Pisani (@dianapisani) on Apr 16, 2016 at 7:22am PDT

 

Disco balls for eyes! #houseofballs #mpls #obscuraday #atlasobscura

A photo posted by Jennifer Taylor (@jenniferrrtaylorrr) on Apr 16, 2016 at 11:22am PDT

 

Bread and Puppet Museum #breadandpuppet #puppet #giantpuppets #cheapart #politicalart #vermont #gloververmont #northeastkingdom #obscuraday

A photo posted by Carol Fairbank (@fairbankshire) on Apr 16, 2016 at 6:15pm PDT

 

Learning about Brook Farm at #obscuraday

A photo posted by Louisa Rigali (@luigiarosali) on Apr 16, 2016 at 11:54am PDT

 

Imagining how it would feel to see the sky again after being locked inside #aschoffsbunker for 4 weeks @angela_brower_mezzo #obscuraday #obscuraday2016 @atlasobscura

A photo posted by sa zollinger (@pieofthemonth) on Apr 16, 2016 at 10:35am PDT