Places mrsclifford Wants to Go

One of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest buildings, built between 1886 and 1890 for the industrialist Eusebi Güell.

Occupied for six centuries by Franciscan Order nuns, this monastery is an amazing ode to Catalán Gothic architecture.

One of Antoni Gaudí's least-visited works, an homage to Catalan patrimony that mixes neo-Gothic with Modernista forms.

A cemetery in Barcelona's Poblenou district is home to this touching funerary statue, which depicts death in the form of a winged skeleton.

Turntable anonymously received orphans, alms, and groceries.

This former Baroque palace on the historic Calle Montcada is a rare architectural gem and was once the meeting place of an aristocratic scholarly society.

This cafe offers a curated collection of treats and tipples made by monks and nuns.

The U.S. Supreme Court's secret Cold War relocation facility in the mountains of North Carolina.

Possibly the oldest church in Barcelona, this basilica has its pagan and Christian mythologies all mixed up.

An exhibition devoted to the life (and posthumous taxidermy form) of the last known representative of the Pinta Island Tortoises.

A wunderkammer of curious objects and intriguing art nestled within a hub of ancient Roman sites.

Romans decided this 16th-century "talking statue" was so ugly, they named it after a primate.

A detailed pachyderm supports Rome's smallest Egyptian obelisk.

This Italian stadium makes liberal use of fascist statuary to evoke classical sporting arenas.

St. Francesca Romana, patron saint of drivers, resides in the church she founded.

An enigmatic modern marker left next to a historic Roman site.

Jesus' footprints and the first catacombs in the world.

Architectural monsters are devouring this palace's every door and window.

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.

The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

Rome’s legendary peephole vista is also a former Crusader stronghold.

At the crypt of St. Mary of Eulogies and the Dead you are left alone to ponder mortality among piles of skulls.