This valley of hot springs and boiling mud pots is home to the record-holding "Geysir," which originated the English word.

This eye-popping Icelandic crater lake is surrounded by red volcanic rock.

The picturesque birthplace of Icelandic democracy is drenched in the blood of its brutal past.

This bell stars in a tragic love tale and is said to make wishes come true.

The last king of Poland was interred in this church nearly 200 years after his death.

Legend says this is actually a heartbroken prince waiting for his true love's kiss.

The Polish capital has had a deep connection to its guardian mermaid for almost a millennium now.

A menacing statue of this mythical creature can be seen at the legendary site of the monster's lair.

After the famous composer died in Paris, his sister snuck his heart out of the country to honor his wish that it be buried in their native country.

One thousand trees were planted in Norway to be used to print books a century from now.

The de facto symbol of Copenhagen is this bronze fairytale which cannot seem to keep its head for very long.

A somber statue commemorating a Danish merfolk-tale.

One of Scandinavia's largest mosaics pays tribute to Danish art and science luminaries.

An old hill fort covered in over 100,000 crosses is a symbol of Lithuanian nationalism and beliefs.

This Arctic storage facility is a secure backup for agricultural biodiversity.

In the northernmost city in the world, it's illegal to be buried because it’s too cold for bodies to decompose.

A former Latvian headquarters of the brutal KGB secret police is now open as a grim reminder of their atrocities.

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

A subtle memorial marks where a human chain protested Soviet control in 1989.

This enigmatic artifact remained buried in a churchyard for years.

A statue built to honor the elite soldiers who fought for Latvia during World War I.

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

3,000 market stands in five former Zeppelin hangars.

Latvia’s first skyscraper, nicknamed ‘Stalin’s birthday cake.’