The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

A fortified medieval basilica on the Caelian Hill preserves extraordinary frescoes and one of Rome's most beautiful hidden cloisters.

This Roman arch marks the location of an ancient gate at one of the Seven Hills of Rome.

Its interior is adorned with some of the best examples of early Christian mosaics.

The crypts of Capuchin friars decorated with the bones of over 4,000 friars, including an entire "crypt of pelvises."

An ancient Egyptian obelisk is now used to commemorate fallen Italian soldiers.

Installed in an act of one-upsmanship, the annual sundial in this church is also a symbolic victory for the Gregorian calendar.

A monumental fountain in Rome features a large statue of Moses that has been criticized for centuries.

A sculpture serving as an homage to Pope John Paul II.

Inside this McDonald's you can dine on your Big Mac and fries next to a 2,500-year-old Roman wall.

This amazingly well-preserved villa just outside Pompeii boasts rare examples of ancient Roman paintings.

The last moments of the ill-fated Pompeiians, frozen forever in plaster.

Erotic art covers the walls of the largest ancient pleasure palace.

The walls and streets of the ancient city are peppered with penises.

Ancient snack bar of the Roman Empire re-opened.

This medieval city gate is now a blend of the past and the modern world.

Unscathed for almost 2,000 years, the best preserved Roman triumphal arch is in a small southern Italian city.

Nobles would stage mock naval battles on this large lake at the Royal Palace of Caserta.

A dead saint, a deadly poison, and a mysterious holy ooze.

Regency-era excess on the English Coast.

The natural history museum displaying the British bird collections and dioramas of Edward Booth, free of charge.

A Victorian natural history and ethnographic museum with wonderful turn-of-the-century, science-book-esque evolution displays.

A wonderfully eclectic Victorian aquarium lies in the basement of the Horniman Museum.

You won't find these curiously named passageways anywhere else in England.