Named for the DeFoe novel inspired by a stranded sailor, this island is known for its rare plants and extreme beauty.

A massive marble pedestal is all that remains of a column that towered over Constantinople for 1300 years.

The only Roman honorific column in Istanbul.

The legendary luxury train passage is commemorated with a charming museum inside its former eastern terminus.

A sixth-century Byzantine cistern hidden below a modern carpet store.

A tiny park in the middle of some big power politics.

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet, your wish will be granted.

A section of the long chain that blocked enemy ships from entering Constantinople.

No one is sure if the world's fourth-largest diamond had been found in a rubbish heap or was pawned by Napoleon's mom.

This column celebrates Rome's victory over the Goths, and may be the oldest Roman monument in Istanbul.

1513 Turkish world map, full of European state secrets and snarky commentary.

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

A fountain standing as a testament to a doomed alliance.

One of the newest mosques in a city filled with thousands.

Longest fortress system anywhere in Europe.

An ancient knight and a symbol of the city's freedom.

Picturesque basketball courts sheltered by historical defensive walls and with an enviable sea view.

Gargoyle head that brings good luck.

A full figure 4th century incorruptible saint lies in a glass coffin in Croatia.

The complex has been abandoned since the Croatian War of Independence, barring a stint as a set for 'Game of Thrones.'

A wunderkammer of gold and silver reliquaries and ancient saintly bones.