Places rosetatarsky Wants to Go

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

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

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

An Art Nouveau gem hides beneath the layers of city grime obscuring this once-magnificent building.

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

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

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

Turkish adventurer antiques in the heart of the Grand Bazaar.

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

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

A meow-velous tribute to a beloved street cat, made famous on the internet.

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

This 400-year-old tree is actually an immigrant from North America.

Dine on Porto-style tripe at a restaurant run by the head of a gastronomic brotherhood dedicated to uplifting this humble dish.

A scientific observatory managed the largest Portuguese astronomy research unit.

The former home of a Portuguese poet, artist, and collector is packed to the brim with art.

Rabanadas, the Portuguese answer to French toast, are reborn here with a glassy sugar crust and a center as light as whipped cream.

This museum is home to one of the biggest collections of printing press technology—plus a river view.

This historic streetcar system has been running since the 19th-century.

When this former hospital pharmacy closed in 2013 it already looked like a museum, so they turned it into one.

Building owners can take out tiles for free at this repository for historic building materials.

A small but charming botanical garden that contains many exotic plant species.

Elaborate tile work in this railway station tells the story of Portugal.