Architectural Oddities in Italy

Discover 64 architectural oddities in Italy.

Capital Without Column

Something's missing between the arcades of the Palazzo della Ragione in "the city of the three withouts."

Palazzo Berri-Meregalli

This curious building hides eclectic details like medieval gargoyles alongside naked angels and Art Nouveau mosaics.

La Rotonda

A rare example of an octagonal Catholic church.

Woodpecker Disco

A domed disco abandoned since the '70s now attracts artists and explorers under its unique roof.

Fetta di Polenta

When this funny little building went up in the 19th century, most people thought it would simply fall over.

Ponte dei Pugni (Bridge of Fists)

100 year tradition of fist fights, marked by marble footsteps.

Permanently Closed

Reggello, Italy

Sammezzano Castle

On rare days, this abandoned castle's gatekeepers open its doors, revealing the eye-popping splendor hidden inside.

Consonno, Italy

Consonno

This half-finished "city of toys" was almost Italy's own Las Vegas.

Civita di Bagnoregio

This quaint Italian town keeps losing ground as the sides of its plateau slowly erode.

Sant'Agata Dé Goti, Italy

Sant'Agata de' Goti

This medieval Italian town is a sheer (and beautiful) cliffside defense.

Ferrara di Monte Baldo, Italy

Santuario Madonna della Corona

This centuries-old Italian chapel hangs midway down a sheer cliffside.

Temple of Valadier

This domed temple was built in a hidden cave mouth as a refuge for sinners seeking absolution.

Florence, Italy

The Bull of Santa Maria del Fiore

This strange bovine gargoyle is said to have been put in as a passive aggressive form of revenge.

San Cataldo Cemetery

This ultra-modern burial building would have stacked the dead like a giant filing cabinet.

The Bronze Ear of Casa Sola-Busca

Before there were doorbells this bronze ear was installed for visitors to announce their arrival.

Florence, Italy

Vasari Corridor

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