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:

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

    Bide A Wee

      Located on the Bide A Wee building at 410 E. 38th St in Manhattan, this plaque caught my eye as I walked past. Loyalty, devotion, forgiveness, humor. Sculptor-Laura Cardin. The first woman to...

      Located on the Bide A Wee building at 410 E. 38th St in Manhattan, this plaque caught my eye as I walked past. Loyalty, devotion, forgiveness, humor. Sculptor-Laura Cardin. The first woman...

    • cardin
    • dogs
    • medal
    • pets
    • sculpture
    • new york

    Robert Fergusson, Scots Poet

    The inscription on the ground reads, “Robert Fergusson Scots Poet Born in Edinburgh 1750 Died in Bedlam 1774″ There is a statue outside the Kirk of the Canongate, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on the...

    The inscription on the ground reads, “Robert Fergusson Scots Poet Born in Edinburgh 1750 Died in Bedlam 1774″ There is a statue outside the Kirk of the Canongate, in Edinburgh, Scotland, on...

    • edinburgh
    • poet
    • robert fergusson
    • scotland
    • scots poet
    • scottish enl...

    Surfing Was First Brought Here by Hawaiian Princes

    SURFING WAS FIRST BROUGHT HERE BY HAWAIIAN PRINCES DURING THE SUMMER OF 1885, THREE YOUNG HAWAIIAN PRINCES RODE THE WAVES AT THE MOUTH OF THE SAN LORENZO RIVER ON REDWOOD PLANKS THEY ORDERED CUT...

    SURFING WAS FIRST BROUGHT HERE BY HAWAIIAN PRINCES DURING THE SUMMER OF 1885, THREE YOUNG HAWAIIAN PRINCES RODE THE WAVES AT THE MOUTH OF THE SAN LORENZO RIVER ON REDWOOD PLANKS THEY ORDERED...

    • surfing
    • california
    • santa cruz
    • museum
    • hawaii
    • prince

    King Cole

    The Expo came to Spokane, Wash. because of a man with the fabulous name of King Cole. Although he passed, his legacy lives on through Riverfront Park and the current push to honor his vision by...

    The Expo came to Spokane, Wash. because of a man with the fabulous name of King Cole. Although he passed, his legacy lives on through Riverfront Park and the current push to honor his vision...

    • spokanerising expo74

    Wreck at the Fat Nancy

    Here, on 12 July 1888, occurred one of Virginia’s largest train disasters, the wreck of the Virginia Midland Railroad’s Train 52, the Piedmont Airline, as it crossed the 44-foot-high,...

    Here, on 12 July 1888, occurred one of Virginia’s largest train disasters, the wreck of the Virginia Midland Railroad’s Train 52, the Piedmont Airline, as it crossed the 44-foot-high,...

    • train
    • virginia
    • wreck

    Mt. Tabor Volcano

    Mt. Tabor in Portland ORText: Through the fiery throat of the volcano exploded glowing cinders which, cooling formed the ground on which you now stand. Younger than the hundreds of volcanoes which...

    Mt. Tabor in Portland ORText: Through the fiery throat of the volcano exploded glowing cinders which, cooling formed the ground on which you now stand. Younger than the hundreds of volcanoes which...

    • geology
    • mountains
    • volcano

    Geocenter of the USA

    Outside the visitor center in the sleep town of Belle Fourche, SD (at the corner of Canam Hwy and Faulk St) lies a plaque and an associate monument, it reads:“Welcome to Belle Fourche. The geo...

    Outside the visitor center in the sleep town of Belle Fourche, SD (at the corner of Canam Hwy and Faulk St) lies a plaque and an associate monument, it reads:“Welcome to Belle Fourche. The geo...

    • belle fourche

    Savoy Theatre Electric Lighting

    Walking down a small side street (Carting Lane) down the side of the Savoy Theatre in central London, you glance to your left a see a small green plaque on the wall which points out that the Savoy...

    Walking down a small side street (Carting Lane) down the side of the Savoy Theatre in central London, you glance to your left a see a small green plaque on the wall which points out that the Savoy...

    • electric lighting
    • savoy theatre

    Birthplace of the Statue of Liberty

    Transcription:Cette plaque commémorative offerte par monsieur Milt Forrest au mon du peuple Américain a été inaugurée le 23 mai 1960 sous le haut patronage de son excellence monsieur l’ambassadeur...

    Transcription:Cette plaque commémorative offerte par monsieur Milt Forrest au mon du peuple Américain a été inaugurée le 23 mai 1960 sous le haut patronage de son excellence monsieur l’ambassadeur...

    • 1886
    • milt forrest
    • paris
    • statue of liberty

    Aeroexpress Floatplane Station

    “The floatplane station of Aeroexpress Ltd. operated stood here from 1923 to 1926. Flights to Wien and Lake Balaton took off from the station. Its most famous pilot, our subsequent ocean flier,...

    “The floatplane station of Aeroexpress Ltd. operated stood here from 1923 to 1926. Flights to Wien and Lake Balaton took off from the station. Its most famous pilot, our subsequent ocean...

    • budapest
    • flight
    • floatplane