This truly palatial work of Communist-era architecture now sits crumbling on a Croatian beach.

A self-proclaimed libertarian micro-state on a tiny bit of disputed territory between Serbia and Croatia.

This heart-shaped island looks substantially less lovely after a recent bulldozing project.

The only gulag ever to exist in socialist Yugoslavia.

Formerly Yugoslavia's "forbidden island," this sleepy little city still holds the abandoned remains of military strongholds.

A wunderkammer of gold and silver reliquaries and ancient saintly bones.

Gargoyle head that brings good luck.

This Croatian fairytale castle is slowly falling apart thanks to years of neglect.

Once a state-of-the-art tuberculosis treatment spa, these ruins are now ruled by paintball players.

This crescent-shaped sliver of sand is a magical haven for a herd of feral horses.

This 1920s Amsterdam neighborhood was built as a giant experiment in concrete construction.

This city square is home to Amsterdam's oldest church and a statue honoring Dutch sex workers.

Humble beginnings for one of the world's most famous scientists.

The remains of a sunken military ship wreck visible through clear water.

A musical instrument played by the sea.

An ethereal glowing blue ocean cave in Croatia.

The history and future of cannabis.

The attic of a four-century-old canal house hides a clandestine church.

A beautifully eclectic mix of architectural styles.

This historic Amsterdam bar used to accept sailor's monkeys as payment.

A random tree outside a Budapest hotel has become a DIY shrine to the late singer.

The mummified right fist of a 1,000-year-old saint-king sits inside an ornate golden reliquary.

This off-beat, quirky communism-themed bar isn't afraid to poke fun at its history.

A series of caves under Castle Hill that once held the prisoner Vlad Tepes, better known as Count Dracula.