The city of Parma's cathedral is home to one of the greatest illusionistic frescoes of the Renaissance.

A large statue of Pope Gregory XIII in Bologna was disguised as Saint Petronius to avoid destruction.

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

A striking memorial recalls thousands of Bolognese men and women killed fighting fascists in World War II.

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

This building features dozens of faces along its facade, although one is a bit chilling.

Stuck in the arcade of Casa Isolani are three arrows of mysterious origins.

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.

A small window on Via Piella offers a lovely and rare peek at Bologna's lost canals.

Time has been frozen at this station since the bombing in 1980—or so it was believed.

A beloved local artist has been honored with this statue of a man emerging from a toilet.

Water and windows define this defensive Italian well.

One of Catholicism's four major basilicas has a series of papal portraits that are said to predict the end of the world.

Its interior is adorned with some of the best examples of early Christian mosaics.

The best preserved Paleochristian basilica in Rome hides a number of oddities and secrets.

This curious, round temple is the oldest still-standing marble building in Rome.

This is the oldest Roman-made bridge in the city still existing in its original state.

A detailed pachyderm supports Rome's smallest Egyptian obelisk.

Nobles would stage mock naval battles on this large lake at the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Before it was buried by volcanic ash, this fast-food restaurant fed the hungry hordes of ancient Rome.

The walls and streets of the ancient city are peppered with penises.

Ancient snack bar of the Roman Empire re-opened.

Erotic art covers the walls of the largest ancient pleasure palace.

The last moments of the ill-fated Pompeiians, frozen forever in plaster.