The bust of Romania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Dracula aka "Vlad the Impaler," keeps watch over the ruins of his medieval court.

This Transylvanian church has changed its denomination four times.

The European towns of Brașov and Râșnov each have proud signs reminiscent of the Hollywood sign.

A fire once nearly devoured this gorgeous 14th-century Gothic cathedral.

This snug medieval lane is one of the narrowest streets in the world.

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."

This memorial to the victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989 is often compared to a potato on a skewer.

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.

An opulent monument built for a duke who donated his entire fortune to the city of Geneva.

This public amphitheater was once a key part of Monaco’s defense strategy.

This statue of the great Argentinian car driver is located near a famous curve of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Museum celebrating the ocean, with the largest wunderkammer dedicated to sea exploration.

Healing waters from a holy well, previously used by locals for doing laundry.

Some believe that the artist behind this whimsical statue inserted his own likeness as a way to discreetly flip the bird.

This enigmatic artifact remained buried in a churchyard for years.

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

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.

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

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

Flamboyant architecture from the turn of 20th century.

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

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