Elaborately carved to showcase the glorious wealth that the age of exploration brought to the Portuguese empire.

A safari-themed castle in the South African bush with the largest maze in the southern hemisphere.

A Faraday Cage protects cars from a nearby high-power transmitter.

Cozy basement bar sports an inventory of over 2,000 beers.

Brussels' favorite peeing boy has a sister.

This $3 million model train takes you through Chicago, Seattle, and the thousands of miles in between.

Water and windows define this defensive Italian well.

The bank that helped fund the Mexican-American War and the purchase of Alaska met its downfall after helping Augusto Pinochet launder money.

The sweet story of how American cargo planes became known as "Candy Bombers" during the Berlin Blockade.

Built in 1870 at the bridge that connected Buda and Pest, this spectacular incline railway was almost lost forever during World War II.

As can be expected from a centuries-old church built in a canal city, the undercroft of this house of worship is beautifully flooded.

The incorrupt tongue of the patron saint of lost things is venerated in this basilica.

Built to repay the sins of the father, this church is home to one of the most valuable works of Western art.

These "anatomical machines" are only one of the many strange items in this Italian crypt.

The studio built by fascists in the hopes of "reviving the film industry" with the occasional propaganda film opportunity thrown in.

Stone memorial that's said to predict the death of the pope and the site of the Cadaver Synod.

Charles Dickens was not a fan of the ghastly wall dressings in this 6th century church.

This ritzy Italian market is built around a statue of an unforgiven heretic who was burned for his belief in an endless universe.

A Nesting Doll of Churches.

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

One of several skulls claiming to belong to the beheaded St. John the Baptist is on display at this Roman church.

An alchemist's “magic door” stands in the middle of a Roman park.

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

This Roman arch marks the location of an ancient gate at one of the Seven Hills of Rome.