10 unusual roadside attractions that are worth traveling for (11 photos)

The road in a journey is just a tool, a way to get from point A to point B.





But don't think of it as simple and boring. After all, along the way you come across real masterpieces that deserve to become a worthy pearl in a necklace of memories, collected from moments and sights.

1. Gnomeville, Australia



Garden gnomes are a classic lawn decoration, but in Western Australia they've gone one step further. Gnomeville is thousands of figurines gathered at a roundabout. The story began 20 years ago as a silent protest against the construction of that very roundabout. First there was one gnome, then dozens, and today there are thousands. Tourists are welcome to add their own.

2. Museum of the Smallest Replicas of the Biggest Things, Kansas, USA





Erica Nelson created a unique museum dedicated to giant roadside objects (like the largest ketchup bottle). She photographs them and makes miniature copies.

3. Mirror Wall in Mulkote, Nepal



On the VR Koirala Highway, there is a retaining wall covered with thousands of mirrors. They are left as an offering to the goddess Seti Devi Mata to avoid accidents.

4. The Face of the Indian (La Cara del Indio), Puerto Rico



The 12-meter bas-relief on the rock is dedicated to the Taino leader Mabodamake, who fought the Spanish in 1511. Artist Isaac Laboy created it in 2000, stylizing it as an ancient carving.

5. Talking Pillars, New Zealand



The town of Tokoroa features wooden sculptures inspired by Maori culture. For example, the "Needle" symbolizes the creator god.

6. Lion's Head, Philippines



The 12-meter stone lion's head on Kennon Road is a symbol of Baguio, the country's summer capital. It was cut out in 1972.

7. "Cartoon Saloon", Texas, USA



This saloon is actually a mini-museum with cartoons, beer cans and a Christmas tree made from bottles.

8. Mamoru-kun Patrolmen, Japan



On Miyakojima Island, police figurines have been reducing accidents since the 1990s. At first they were considered creepy, but now they even sell cookies with their images.

9. Olmec Head Roundabout, Spain



At a roundabout in Madrid stands an exact replica of the "Colossal Head No. 8" (1200-900 BC), donated by Mexico in 2007.

10. Lee Ball Museum, Nebraska, USA



The Lee Butterton Collection includes hundreds of rare marbles.