Architecture

Standing atop 2nd-century Roman ruins, this church is one of the oldest and most iconic in Old Cairo.

A university observatory dome painted to resemble the beloved 'Star Wars' droid.

Dozens of elegant ceramic tiles decorate these ancient walls, each displaying the Lord's Prayer in a different language.

One of the oldest surviving lock houses on the Ohio River.

Perched above the bustling town of Kerak is a sprawling, ruinous castle that has witnessed nearly a millennia of Levantine history.

This 11th-century castle sits so low you can't see it behind the surrounding buildings.

This ornate church designed by a self-taught architect is an eclectic masterpiece in the heart of Central Mexico.

This mesmerizing, colorful structure looks like a tent made from stained glass.

This medieval sanctuary's tree-framed door looks like a portal to a mythical realm.

Exquisite carvings of leaves, Green Men, and the occasional dragon adorn a medieval chapter house.

It took 160 years to complete the most ornate church in Ecuador.

This Vietnamese bar doubles as a multistory labyrinth.

Once home to an aristocratic family and a workers' organization, this intricately tiled building now houses a chain restaurant.

Nestled in the mountains of Portugal is a tiny village made almost entirely of schist.

Disturbing winged beings decorate the walls of this strange abandoned hermitage.