A gigantic map of all the cool plaques in the world. A project of 99% Invisible.
Explore the nearly 25,000 worldwide plaques on the Big Map big map screenshot
The most recent plaques:

The Meridian of Toronto

This line in the true North-South direction through the site of the Toronto Magnetic Observatory, marks the meridian for Toronto that was recognized by scientists around the world until 1908.Each...

This line in the true North-South direction through the site of the Toronto Magnetic Observatory, marks the meridian for Toronto that was recognized by scientists around the world until 1908.Each...

  • canada
  • magnetic
  • meridian
  • north
  • toronto

Robert G. (Bob) Perkins

Detail of bronze plaque, which in full reads: “This plaque commemorates the singular contribution of Robert G. (Bob) Perkins…for his vision and for two decades of inspired leadership to develop...

Detail of bronze plaque, which in full reads: “This plaque commemorates the singular contribution of Robert G. (Bob) Perkins…for his vision and for two decades of inspired leadership to develop...

  • canada
  • conservation
  • environment
  • oakville
  • public
  • trails

Dundurn Castle, 1832

Dundurn Castle, 1832: This mansion was built 1832-35 by Allan Napier MacNab (1798-1862) and named after the family ancestral seat in Scotland. Enlisting at fifteen, MacNab distinguished himself by...

Dundurn Castle, 1832: This mansion was built 1832-35 by Allan Napier MacNab (1798-1862) and named after the family ancestral seat in Scotland. Enlisting at fifteen, MacNab distinguished himself by...

  • canada
  • hamilton

The Weeping Willows of Christchurch

On a rock in Victoria Square in Christchurch, NZ is affixed this plaque, which commemorates Francois Le Lievre. The plaque reads, “To commemorate Francois Le Lievre who first came to New Zealand...

On a rock in Victoria Square in Christchurch, NZ is affixed this plaque, which commemorates Francois Le Lievre. The plaque reads, “To commemorate Francois Le Lievre who first came to New Zealand...

    Howdy !

    N 51° 02.184 W 114° 02.835 11U E 707012 N 5658021 This bench is located near the centre of Scotsman’s Hill in southeast Calgary, Alberta. The bench has a great view of the Calgary Stampede...

    N 51° 02.184 W 114° 02.835 11U E 707012 N 5658021 This bench is located near the centre of Scotsman’s Hill in southeast Calgary, Alberta. The bench has a great view of the Calgary...

    • scotsmans hill

    Atlantic City Workers’ Memorial Monument

    DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ORGANIZED LABOR WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE WORKING ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ATLANTIC CITY WE HONOR THESE WORKERS [names] "YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED" ERECTED...

    DEDICATED TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF ORGANIZED LABOR WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE WORKING ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ATLANTIC CITY WE HONOR THESE WORKERS [names] "YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED" ERECTED...

    • atlantic cit...

    Workers’ Memorial Monument

    The plaque is located along the Atlantic city boardwalk on a monument labors that lost their lives working on Atlantic city projects.

    The plaque is located along the Atlantic city boardwalk on a monument labors that lost their lives working on Atlantic city projects.

    • atlantic cit...

    Major John W. Powell Memorial Plaque

    This is a very unique plaque in that it is in the middle of nowhere and you must do some “canyoneering” to get to it. It sits at the bottom of a route called “Fat Man’s Misery”, just outside Zion...

    This is a very unique plaque in that it is in the middle of nowhere and you must do some “canyoneering” to get to it. It sits at the bottom of a route called “Fat Man’s Misery”, just outside Zion...

    • canyoneering
    • john wesley powell
    • zion national park

    The ACM Cat

      Short life, must have been a great cat to warrant a plaque after only a year.

      Short life, must have been a great cat to warrant a plaque after only a year.

    • cat
    • museum
    • statue

    The March to the Sea

    A NY Times article about a plaque for the “Plaque Stories” section.

    A NY Times article about a plaque for the “Plaque Stories” section.

    • atlanta
    • civil war
    • sherman

    Capt. Rolf Wittmer Walbroel – Progress and Development of Galapagos

    This plaque is found on the port of Floreana Island, a small island found on the southern section of the group of islands that comprise the Galapagos. The island is known for it’s particular shade...

    This plaque is found on the port of Floreana Island, a small island found on the southern section of the group of islands that comprise the Galapagos. The island is known for it’s particular shade...

    • galapagos ec...

    Homage to those who discovered Machu- Picchu

      These two plaques are found on the left shortly after the main public entrance to Machu Picchu. I think they embody the current Peruvian thinking about “discoverers” of yesteryear. My experience...

      These two plaques are found on the left shortly after the main public entrance to Machu Picchu. I think they embody the current Peruvian thinking about “discoverers” of yesteryear. My...

    • machu picchu
    • hiram bingham
    • peru
    • cuzco

    Java House, SF Embarcadero

    Plaque on the side of the excellent diner “Java House” just up the street from the SF Giants stadium. Text is:“JAVA HOUSEEstablished 1912GOOD FOOD HERE! The oldest eatery on San Francisco’s...

    Plaque on the side of the excellent diner “Java House” just up the street from the SF Giants stadium. Text is:“JAVA HOUSEEstablished 1912GOOD FOOD HERE! The oldest eatery on San...

    • bay area
    • embarcadero
    • java
    • san francisco

    Blisworth Tunnel Canal South Entrance

    52.145755, -0.921459https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.1459127,-0.9224967,18zAt 3,076 yards (2,813m) long the Blisworth Canal Tunnel is the third-longest navigable canal tunnel on the UK canal...

    52.145755, -0.921459https://www.google.co.uk/maps/ @52.1459127,-0.9224967,18zAt 3,076 yards (2,813m) long the Blisworth Canal Tunnel is the third- longest navigable canal tunnel on the UK...

    • blisworth
    • canal
    • grand union

    Ben Franklin’s Kite

    This tiny, easy-to-miss plaque is on the front of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 18 s. 10th Street, in Philadelphia, PA, and commemorates, quite subtly, the discovery of electricity. It says,...

    This tiny, easy-to-miss plaque is on the front of St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 18 s. 10th Street, in Philadelphia, PA, and commemorates, quite subtly, the discovery of electricity. It...

    • ben franklin
    • electricity
    • kite
    • philadelphia

    Debris washdown, Sheffield

    A log, around 1.5m long, placed nonchalantly on the side of one of the platforms of Sheffield train station, UK.It reads: “Debris washdown during the SHEFFIELD station flood 21st December 1991″

    A log, around 1.5m long, placed nonchalantly on the side of one of the platforms of Sheffield train station, UK.It reads: “Debris washdown during the SHEFFIELD station flood 21st December 1991″

      Holly Grove Plantation House

      Erected by Noel and Jane Scott Killingworth Originally fabricated as a kit in Ohio, shipped down the mississippi river to Rodney, Mississippi and located near Red Lick. Moved to the present site...

      Erected by Noel and Jane Scott Killingworth Originally fabricated as a kit in Ohio, shipped down the mississippi river to Rodney, Mississippi and located near Red Lick. Moved to the present site...

      • mississippi
      • national society
      • plantation

      MaRS Discovery District: Toronto General Hospital

      Toronto General Hospital:This institution, the first general infirmary in Upper Canada, began operations in 1829. It was periodically hampered by administrative and financial difficulties but...

      Toronto General Hospital:This institution, the first general infirmary in Upper Canada, began operations in 1829. It was periodically hampered by administrative and financial difficulties...

      • toronto mars...

      West Derby S.D. 194

      There seem to be many plaques among the wild and remote places of Manitoba, Canada; many of which recall pioneering days and/or old schools.This one I found while taking the dogs to a local...

      There seem to be many plaques among the wild and remote places of Manitoba, Canada; many of which recall pioneering days and/or old schools.This one I found while taking the dogs to a local...

      • school distr...

      The Chamberlain Clock

        The Chamberlain Clock is the most visible and perhaps memorable of the many historic landmarks and interesting features to see in the Jewellery Quarter. This fine clock tower, located centrally...

        The Chamberlain Clock is the most visible and perhaps memorable of the many historic landmarks and interesting features to see in the Jewellery Quarter. This fine clock tower, located...

      • birmingham
      • chamberlain clock
      • jewellery quarter
      • alabama