Places Hopla Wants to Go

This oddly beautiful water cistern is a techno-temple to the wet stuff and a multimedia masterpiece.

This ex-prison dates back to the Middle Ages.

A collection of old neon signs from all over Poland line a secluded courtyard.

A towering relic of Upper Silesia’s industrial past, the blast furnace of Huta Pokój stands as a monumental reminder of the region’s former role as one of Central Europe’s most important iron and steel production centers.

Gliwice Radio Tower, likely the tallest wooden structure in the world.

The two abandoned overpasses are among the largest bridges in Poland.

Come to this Polish museum to take a good, clean look at filth.

A somber memorial honors the hundreds of thousands of lives lost at this labor and extermination camp.

Boats must transform into railroad cars to navigate this Polish canal.

Crosses of all shapes, sizes and colors litter the mountain, the site of a huge yearly Orthodox pilgrimage.

Several 12th-century ruins can be found inside this historical market.

This museum in the tower of the oldest church in Gdańsk, is home to centuries-old time-keeping devices and the world's first pulsar clock.

This small shrine is dedicated to the designer of the first Russian fighter jet and his brother, who became Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.

Climb a steep hill in 90 seconds on the second-oldest urban subway in the world.

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

This museum was invented in a novel before being made real by the author.

The most metal church of all time was built in record time because of an international, pious pissing contest.

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

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

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 marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.