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Meritxell, Andorra

Basílica Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Meritxell

A beautiful modern church dedicated to the teleporting patron saint of Andorra.
In the waters beyond La Palma's Cumbre Nueva mountains (shown here), San Borondón is said to appear to the west of the Canary Islands archipelago.
haunted

In the Canary Islands, a Mysterious Phantom Isle Haunts Local Imagination

The legend of San Borondón all started with an Irish saint.
Cat Rainsford February 9, 2024
Gudrid the Far-Traveled even walked to Rome.
vikings

The First Viking Woman to Sail to America Was a Legendary Traveler

Back when the Icelanders called a part of Canada the “land of grapes.”
Frank Jacobs, Big Think February 9, 2024
Maysville, Colorado

Angel of Shavano

This distinctive snowfield on the slopes of a Colorado fourteener has several legendary origin stories.
List

13 Places to Find Little Legends and Compact Cryptids

From grumpy water goblins to tiny trolls.
Jonathan Carey January 26, 2024
Maldon, England

Statue of Byrhtnoth

This statue commemorates one of medieval England’s most courageous heroes.
The mysterious Bigfoot
mythology

10 Places to Visit If You Want to Believe in Bigfoot

Even if you’re not convinced cryptids exist, these spots will offer a fascinating look into the minds of those who are.
Atlas Obscura January 18, 2024
Witch Rock of Montmartre
Paris, France

Witch Rock of Montmartre

This oddly shaped boulder in Paris is rumored to be cursed.
Palmeiras, Brazil

Morro do Pai Inácio

This peak in Chapada Diamantina National Park offers the most stunning sunsets.
The Yule Cat (or Jólakötturinn) serves as a warning for children to not misbehave, much like the threat of coal for naughty children on Christmas.
vikings

Beware the Yule Cat, Iceland’s Child-Eating Christmas Monster

But if you’re wearing new clothes, you have nothing to fear from Jólakötturinn.
Suzie Dundas December 22, 2023
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Coleman Frog

This bullfrog grew to an alleged weight of 42 pounds on a diet of whiskey, baked beans, and June bugs.
Lake Imba Monster
Yachiyo, Japan

Lake Imba Monster

The strange “kaiju” of Lake Imba that allegedly killed over a dozen men with a single strike of lightning.
Isle of Skye, Scotland

Caisteal Maol

This ruined castle is said to be the legendary keep of a Viking princess.
Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan Castle

Inside a Scottish castle hangs the tattered remains of a flag with murky origins and supposed magic powers.
Toledo, Spain

Pozo Amargo (Bitter Well)

The water of this well in Toledo lost its sweetness after the death of a young love.
Mauritania

Ben Amera Monolith

The second largest monolith in the world was once betrayed by its lover, Ben Aicha.
Odense, Denmark

Jomfruspringet (The Virgin Leap)

This aged paving stone, marked by a maiden's foot imprint and the tales of her plunge from the cathedral tower, serves as a memorial to a tragic local legend.
Soap Sally was always lying in wait to snatch idle children and turn them into soap and candles, according to regional folklore in Appalachia and the American South.
fairytales

Soap Sally, a Villain of Appalachia and the American South, Echoes Old World Evil

The wicked washerwoman, child murderer, and entrepreneur has parallels to Baba Yaga and other classic European folk figures.
Emma Cieslik October 30, 2023