This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.

This charming Latvian lane doubled as Baker Street on the Soviet Union’s version of Sherlock Holmes.

Latvia's symbolic mountain-shaped national library is home to millions of cultural tomes.

A black cat protests the City Guild in Riga's Old Town.

The oldest housing complex in Riga is a mini timeline of architectural trends.

Flamboyant architecture from the turn of 20th century.

3,000 market stands in five former Zeppelin hangars.

This centuries-old rooster survived a devastating fire.

This statue and park honor the Swedish chemist Jacob Berzelius, one of the founders of modern chemistry.

Sweden's oldest animated sign is still lighting up the skyline today.

Stockholm's tiniest statue is of a small boy looking at the Moon.

Stockholm's narrowest alley is barely over two feet wide.

It is said that each of the white stones in the red facade of this medieval house represents the head of a murdered Swedish noble.

Stockholm's deepest subway station is also a stunning ecological wonder.

The painter of "The Scream" is laid to rest under a stoic bust of himself in the humble corner of an Oslo cemetery.

This colorful and quirky set of pegasus sculptures celebrate the works of poet Zbigniew Herbert.

An artificial date palm stands as a memorial to Warsaw's Jewish community.

In the summer, the area around this sculpture transforms into a vibrant concert venue.

Special benches that play Chopin's music are scattered throughout his native city.

The giant statue and its model solar system honor the native Pole who declared that the Earth revolves around the Sun.

A tribute to the Polish insurgents who fought in the failed attempt to end their city's Nazi occupation.

A merchant court dedicated to the fictitious King Arthur is heavily adorned with bizarre Renaissance art.

These rare statues are one of the few remaining material witnesses to Old Prussian culture.

A huge wooden clock that is so beautiful its creator was forcibly blinded.