This beautiful 14th-century castle perched on a promontory overlooks the Bay of Trieste.

One of the tallest lighthouses in the world also serves as a monument to the fallen of World War I.

This historic floating crane became an unlikely symbol of the port of Trieste.

This Roman monument is surrounded by more recent construction, offering a stark contrast between ancient architecture and the modern urban landscape.

During World War II, this rice mill became a Nazi concentration camp.

Deep underground, the rusting remains of a German water pumping station from World War II.

A wonderfully strange collection of 500+ stuffed frogs doing people things.

The now-overgrown beach resort was once frequented by Yugoslav military elite.

Gargoyle head that brings good luck.

The oldest arboretum on the Dalmatian coast doubles as the gardens of Kings Landing in "Game of Thrones."

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

Now harmless, this looming post struck fear into the heart of medieval troublemakers.

A musical instrument played by the sea.

Longest fortress system anywhere in Europe.

Dive for drinks at Croatia's first and only underwater winery.

When a supermarket opened up shop within a medieval building it became protected by UNESCO on a technicality.

Large, airy hallways hide within an impenetrable fortress that beckons urban explorers.

This cluster of little wooden huts once ground local farmers’ wheat into flour during the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Yugoslavia's biggest underground airport lies in ruins.

The only gulag ever to exist in socialist Yugoslavia.

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

One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is still used today, but for less brutal events.

Island wonderland for communist autocrats.

This narrow fjord-like bay is the largest ria in the Mediterranean Sea.