This ornate church has survived Nazi and Soviet occupation, including a short stint as a Soviet-era gymnasium and cinema.

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.

A stone marker and sculpture in the city of Riga stake a claim for the very first community Christmas tree.

This charming Latvian lane doubled as Baker Street on the Soviet Union’s version of Sherlock Holmes.

The reconstruction of this prominent building fulfilled a long-written command.

Flamboyant architecture from the turn of 20th century.

A black cat protests the City Guild in Riga's Old Town.

Latvia's symbolic mountain-shaped national library is home to millions of cultural tomes.

The oldest housing complex in Riga is a mini timeline of architectural trends.

3,000 market stands in five former Zeppelin hangars.

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.

The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.

This community on a small Venetian island has taken to painting their houses in bright neon hues.

Rome’s legendary peephole vista is also a former Crusader stronghold.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.

The only Chinese temple in Mumbai.

A 66-million-year-old rock formation stands tall over Mumbai, offering stellar city views.

World's most expensive home.

Many Hindus make the long pilgrimage to this holy city to have their remains burned on the banks of the Ganges River.

A Zoroastrian funerary tower where excarnation rituals are carried out is threatened by the area's dwindling vulture population.

This opulent 16th-century Maharaja’s palace is a unique mix of Hindu and Muslim designs.

There are millions of temples in India, but only one prominent temple dedicated to the Hindu creator god.