Optical Illusions

The design of this seemingly translucent two-story tower in northwest Cambridge was inspired by an optical illusion.

Al Rahmah Mosque appears to "float" atop the Red Sea.

This gallery commissioned by Cardinal Spada is known for its magnificent optical illusion.

This temple contains what might be the world's oldest optical illusion.

The sanctuary seems to either float atop the water or sink into the dirt, depending on the water level.

This small Spanish village is home to dozens of public paintings meant to trick the eye.

On this Polish road, an optical illusion makes cars seem to roll uphill.

A rocky face gazes out over an enormous volcanic crater.

Life-sized painted illusions let pedestrians blend in with the street art.

Every spring, locals see the shadowy figures of a ghost army of slain Greek soldiers descend upon this ruined fort.

Turn around and stick your head between your legs for the best view of this tree-covered sandbar.

Things aren't quite what they seem at this mind-bending museum.

Mirrored floors and arched shelves create the illusion of an infinite tunnel of books.

A spooky spot along the road where things mysteriously seem to move uphill by themselves.

A remote hill on a stretch of country road where the laws of physics are defied... or so it seems.