A fire once nearly devoured this gorgeous 14th-century Gothic cathedral.

The only Roman honorific column in Istanbul.

Taking the subway here means doing so over a bridge located in the middle of an estuary.

Have tea in a cemetery with a dazzling view of Istanbul.

This historic hotel preserves many treasures from its heyday hosting passengers on the Orient Express.

This former Imperial summer home was the venue for a royal slap that once echoed 'round the world.

This column celebrates Rome's victory over the Goths, and may be the oldest Roman monument in Istanbul.

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

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

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

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.

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

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.

A unique configuration of blown glass can be found inside this hotel lobby.

The world's largest frame offers spectacular views of the city's past and present.

On any given day this sprawling market houses literally tons of government-regulated gold, gems, and precious metals.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."

This indoor ski resort has a mountain contained inside a mall.

A faithful reproduction of Al-Jazari's enormous water clock.

Billed as the "largest natural flower garden in the world" this Middle Eastern show field has little competition at 45 million flowers.

A state-of-the-art medical facility dedicated to treating beloved birds of prey.