Byzantine emperors ruled, lived, and died in this 13th-century palace-turned-museum.

An underground world of gorgeous, palatial metro stations designed as a nuclear shelter complex.

Liechtenstein's royal family calls this medieval alpine castle home.

This sculptural piece by the artist Tom Otterness doubles as a jungle gym.

This cast-iron canine is a beloved icon among the people of Johnstown and ice hockey fans everywhere.

In the heart of Tirana, this underground nuclear bunker has been transformed into a museum.

A bustling bazaar with an elaborate facade in Central Asia’s underrated capital.

Next to a newer mosque in Khujand’s main square lies the city’s oldest mosque, whose interiors are spectacularly intricate.

A historic and beautiful Art Nouveau chamber in a historic railway station.

Belgrade’s oldest restaurant has a rather unusual name.

Prowl through this sprawling bazaar under a massive Soviet-era dome for delicious eats.

A prime example of socialist modernist architecture, wrapped in a enormous fresco about the media.

This obscene artwork on the side of a newspaper office pokes fun at a rival paper's former editor-in-chief.

A 12th-century fortress containing some of Berlin's oldest buildings.

A collection of abandoned typographic signs from Berlin and beyond.

A mechanical clock built in 1914, with a rotation of 12 historical figures on its face.

This red light district plaza memorializes the Fab Four and their historic connection to the area.

A socialist building dedicated to teachers showcases one of the largest Soviet mosaics in the world.

A copy of the famous statue can be found in this Florence piazza, along with one of the most breathtaking views of the city below.

Secret refuge and museum of the Duke of Florence.

Over 50 exquisite hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate a Medici storage room.

The remains of this 2nd-century Roman temple are incorporated into a modern building.

A massive marble foot is tucked away in a small alley near the Pantheon.

The ruins of the largest gladiatorial school in Rome are largely hidden under modern streets.