Places Edited by Jonathan Carey

These precariously placed ruins harken back to a 13th-century castle.

This tiny German village has staked claim to being the center of the union following Brexit.

This 16th-century monastery was founded to cloister the daughters of wealthy local families.

Though it may look like it’s missing its outer shell, this skeletal cast-iron tower was built to withstand wind and waves.

The Grand Mall in Varna hosts one of the biggest collections of Soviet-era paraphernalia in Bulgaria.

This iconic building was founded as a school for the impoverished, but became one for the sons of the local gentry.

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

Hiding in plain sight near Kathmandu’s government center is a giant mandala that has become a locus for political protest.

This 6th-century church honors St. Tudno, the patron saint of Llandudno.

This strategically-placed fountain creates the magnificent illusion of mustangs galloping across a river.

A riverfront park that both remediated and preserved its industrial past.

Once home to one of the oldest banks in the world, this building is also where Marco Polo's famous travelogue was written.

One of the most spectacular 18th-century bridges in Scotland.

These ancient ruins hide in plain sight next to a dessert shop.

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

This multicolored meandering masterpiece is Britain's longest bench.

An eponymous directional signpost erected by the first president of the United States.

This small church was constructed over the ruins of three temples dating to the Roman Republic.

The majestic, sacred tree is represented on this piece of public infrastructure.

This secluded museum beats the drum for the preservation of Nepal's musical heritage.

This stone commemorates the island's launch into international aviation.

One of Rome's most picturesque and original bridges was also a popular choice for Grand Tour artists.

Scotland's first Masonic lodge may also be the oldest in the world.

This park is home to a collection of important industrial and religious sites.