Places Edited by Lex Berko

This historic black and white monastery is one of Bulgaria's architectural jewels.

The world's shortest escalator doesn't seem to have any reason to exist other than to hold a world record.

A favorite of Amelia Earhart, ranking among those rare bridges that can be crossed without changing sides of the river.

This frequently-photographed waterfall takes only a short hike to visit.

This artificial ring island was built to hold cubic tons of polluted dirt.

This Cambodian riverbed is covered in ancient Hindu carvings both above and below the waters.

Behold the rickety glory of one of the oldest roller coasters still standing.

The birthplace of the builder of the Statue of Liberty is now a museum dedicated to his work.

A little-known subterranean street runs under some of the best-known buildings in Chicago's River North.

This steamship has been beautifully rusting off the coast of an Iranian island since the 1960s.

The oldest teak bridge in the world is made from the remains of a royal palace.

This medieval village/restaurant perpetually celebrates the year 1376.

These Japanese ruins have been brought back to life with elaborately recreated buildings.

This Australian beach is composed of tiny shells.

This century-old roadside attraction is full of bizarre rock formations.

This private island is still in the family after a 400-year history including a witch hunt, a pirate, and multiple wars.

This lighthouse and shipwreck museum keep a torch burning for the memory of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

The skeleton of a whale that beached itself in this Irish town is now on display in their public park.

This skeleton-filled altar piece served as a backdrop to one of the most iconic scenes in "The Sound of Music."

According to legend a man pooped out the window of this tower to prove that it was straight.

This beautiful, historic church looks like something out of a simpler past.

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

In terms of history and architecture, this is one of the most remarkable cemeteries in the world.

A giant, bloody battle rages throughout the Bolivian Andes each year.