A gigantic statue of a Russian soldier watches over the ancient city of Plovdiv, a prominent reminder of the Soviet period in Bulgaria.

This ancient theater, restored in the 20th century, lives on as a venue for dramatic and musical performances.

A vast Communist-era exhibition space in the Bulgarian capital.

A Bulgarian monument to Russia's role in World War II is constantly being painted in pop culture protest.

Eastern Bloc nostalgia, anybody?

"Holy Wisdom" overlooks the city that became its namesake.

Sofia's legislative center is continuously reinventing itself.

Underneath this Byzantinian church lies a necropolis filled with ancient tombs and the ruins of previous churches.

A striking symbol of the Bulgarian capital.

Vienna's giant wonder wheel had a starring role in one of the greatest noir movies of all time.

The townhouse where the "Blood Countess" Elizabeth Báthory started her murderous career.

Visiting this café is like visiting the Austrian grandma you wish you had.

Baroque celebration of the end of the Great Plague of Vienna.

The final resting place for the remains of 143 Habsburg royalty.

Dine amidst exotic plants at this former royal greenhouse.

Vienna's diversity-themed traffic lights were inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest.

Built to give thanks for the passing of a plague epidemic, this cathedral is a one-of-a-kind architectural hybrid.

A 19th-century subterranean reservoir repurposed as a contemporary art cave.

Pre-Nazi swastikas adorn the sculpted pachyderms flanking this brewhouse portal.

Copenhagen's celebrated theme park and gardens.

The art museum is decorated with creatively remodeled pre-Nazi swastikas.

A collection of noses tucked inside an art museum reveals how times have changed.

The old observatory in Copenhagen has a spiral corridor used as a racetrack.

The de facto symbol of Copenhagen is this bronze fairytale which cannot seem to keep its head for very long.