Places thelonesomeroad Wants to Go

The underground sanctuary of a mysterious ancient cult.

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

A collection of objects supposedly singed by the hands of souls in purgatory.

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

A sculpture serving as an homage to Pope John Paul II.

A mysterious chasm in the heart of the ancient Roman Forum, the Lacus Curtius was once believed to be a gateway to hell.

A master of trompe-l'oeil creates a stunning, tourist-fooling dome out of a flat ceiling.

Venice's island of the dead.

Go inside to really appreciate this 500-year-old technological masterpiece.

Venice's "Island of the Mad."

This community on a small Venetian island has taken to painting their houses in bright neon hues.

Hidden in an Italian forest is a completely homemade amusement park that has taken a lifetime to create.

This Italian church is as beautiful as it is common, except for the real skulls decorating the many mannequins inside.

This former Roman Catholic Church still contains the embalmed hearts and organs of 22 popes.

The crypts of Capuchin friars decorated with the bones of over 4,000 friars, including an entire "crypt of pelvises."

The naturally mummified body of a peasant girl saint.

Anatomical cabinet holds unexpected treasures.

Sitting on an Italian hilltop is this surreal fortress built by the mad inventor of electrohomeopathy.

Contains some of the world's more disturbing wax anatomical models.

Medieval torture techniques with a modern conscience.

This bronze boar's snout has been rubbed to a golden sheen by visitors seeking good fortune.

A large grotto built in the 16th century amidst Florence's famous Boboli gardens.

The mummified relic of St. Antoninus.

This private skyway is filled with art and was expanded explicitly so that Hitler could appreciate a river.