I enjoy churches. Not because I like sitting through services, necessarily, but because of the serenity they instantly bring me. Next time I’m having an anxious spiral, I think I’ll walk over to the nearest chapel.
The story of how the demonveggen, or demon wall, came to be is as strange and disturbing as the mural itself. Gerhard Gotaas, one of Norway’s leading conservators, was well-known for his preservation and restoration of medieval church art. But in 1940, when he entered a small village church in Sauherad to restore centuries-old artwork, he saw hundreds of demons that he could not make heads or tails of.
Pre-order a copy of “America Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States” by August 2 and receive a complimentary one-year Atlas Obscura membership!
Simply upload your receipt to this form to verify your purchase, and we’ll unlock a year of member-exclusive stories, perks, and opportunities to share your own discoveries.
Twelve emperors, 18 empresses, and 113 other members of the Habsburg family are interred in the Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft) in Vienna. The crypt also holds 105 metal sarcophagi, the most elaborate of which were designed by the royal sculptor Balthasar Ferdinand Moll.
The Mermaid Tale Trail transforms Hernando County into an outdoor art expedition inspired by the iconic mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. Scattered across Florida’s Adventure Coast, the hand-painted statues invite visitors to explore local parks, businesses, and landmarks while discovering the region’s playful connection to Florida folklore and roadside creativity.
