Places Edited by Eric Grundhauser

A spectacular annual festival centers around humans throwing molten iron against a wall at night.

This abandoned racetrack looks like it is set to hold competitions in the apocalypse.

The ancient ruins of an extinguished city amidst the bustle of a modern one.

The UFO capital of Australia is the outback’s answer to Roswell.

An ancient system of freshwater caves filled with animal bones, including that of species long-extinct.

This oddly named town refuses to change its phallic moniker.

The so-called "Richest Village In China" is either a model Communist town or a dystopian sham.

This Brazilian palace island was once the site of the last grand ball before revolution.

This Industrial Age architectural and engineering gem helps visitors and residents alike traverse Lisbon, “The City of Seven Hills.”

This unique Lady Liberty is one of the only examples of the figure sitting down.

The childhood home of Earth's alien chameleon is a humble Brixton flat.

This mysterious Lady Liberty stands at the entrance to a small Israeli village.

This studio was home to David Bowie's first single, even if it did turn away the Beatles.

From Iggy Pop to David Bowie to Nick Cave, this regal music studio has served some of the all time greats.

This Lady Liberty is the oldest replica of its kind outside the state of New York.

This London plaque marks the spot where David Bowie's famous alien made his debut.

An artistic tribute to the famous singer, just around the corner from where he was born.

To the famous surrealist artist, liberty required two torches held high.

This ancient city—home to nine civilizations—is soon to be buried under 200 feet of water.

A ghost town that held steady longer than most, but finally gave up the ghost.

The tiny Belgian town's ancient version of Mardi Gras involves eerie wax masks, sticks for warding off evil, and ostrich plume hats.

This traditional festival celebrates a family of wooden giants that have survived Nazis, wars, and religion.

This historic address is home to the beloved ball and is an almost totally empty building among the most expensive real estate in the world.

Both church and state get put to the torch in this annual festival in the "Bonfire Capital of the World."