Venice, Italy
Libreria Acqua Alta
This Venice bookstore has resigned itself to constant flooding by keeping its books in bathtubs and boats.
Places taylsliotta Wants to Go
188
Places I want to go
Places on this traveler's wishlist.
Permanently Closed
Venice, Italy
Giant Hands of Venice’s Grand Canal
A new sculpture calls attention to climate change in the centuries-old city it threatens.
Rome, Italy
Elephant and Obelisk
A detailed pachyderm supports Rome's smallest Egyptian obelisk.
Rome, Italy
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
One of Catholicism's four major basilicas has a series of papal portraits that are said to predict the end of the world.
Rome, Italy
Palazzo Naiadi Roman Baths
Ancient ruins hidden underneath a modern luxury hotel.
Rome, Italy
The Sweating Cenotaph at the Archbasilica San Giovanni in Laterano
Stone memorial that's said to predict the death of the pope and the site of the Cadaver Synod.
Rome, Italy
Cloaca Maxima
The "Great Sewer" of ancient Rome is one of the oldest sewer systems in the world, and is still in use.
Rome, Italy
Veii
Rome's ancient Etruscan rival, now a park full of ruins.
Rome, Italy
Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio
More sculpture than building, this architecturally significant temple was built on the spot of Saint Peter's crucifixion.
Rome, Italy
Lacus Curtius
A mysterious chasm in the heart of the ancient Roman Forum, the Lacus Curtius was once believed to be a gateway to hell.
Rome, Italy
Meridian Line of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs
Installed in an act of one-upsmanship, the annual sundial in this church is also a symbolic victory for the Gregorian calendar.
Rome, Italy
Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
A collection of objects supposedly singed by the hands of souls in purgatory.
Rome, Italy
Papal Hearts at Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio a Trevi
This former Roman Catholic Church still contains the embalmed hearts and organs of 22 popes.
Rome, Italy
The Catacombs of San Sebastian
Jesus' footprints and the first catacombs in the world.
Rome, Italy
Domus Aurea
The engineering wonder and pleasure dome of a much-maligned emperor still holds undiscovered secrets.
Rome, Italy
St. Valentine's Skull
The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.
Rome, Italy
Via Appia
2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.
Rome, Italy
Pyramid of Cestius
The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.
Rome, Italy
The Mithraeum at Circus Maximus
The underground sanctuary of a mysterious ancient cult.
Rome, Italy
The Mouth of Truth
The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.
Rome, Italy
The Aventine Keyhole
Rome’s legendary peephole vista is also a former Crusader stronghold.
Rome, Italy
The Dome Illusion
A master of trompe-l'oeil creates a stunning, tourist-fooling dome out of a flat ceiling.
Rome, Italy
Porta Alchemica
An alchemist's “magic door” stands in the middle of a Roman park.
Rome, Italy
Torre Argentina (Roman Cat Sanctuary)
Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.
