A misnamed well, with a deep dark past.

A Serbian church lit by chandeliers made of weapons.

One of Belgrade's most beloved animals.

A collection of art from Bulgaria's time as a communist state.

A vast Communist-era exhibition space in the Bulgarian capital.

Eastern Bloc nostalgia, anybody?

A Bulgarian monument to Russia's role in World War II is constantly being painted in pop culture protest.

A striking symbol of the Bulgarian capital.

Underneath this Byzantinian church lies a necropolis filled with ancient tombs and the ruins of previous churches.

"Holy Wisdom" overlooks the city that became its namesake.

This historic black and white monastery is one of Bulgaria's architectural jewels.

This ancient theater, restored in the 20th century, lives on as a venue for dramatic and musical performances.

A gigantic statue of a Russian soldier watches over the ancient city of Plovdiv, a prominent reminder of the Soviet period in Bulgaria.

A surprising and unconventional mosque hidden in the subsoil of Istanbul.

A gorgeous, Gaudí-esque stairway constructed in the city of Istanbul by a prominent Jewish family.

Turkish adventurer antiques in the heart of the Grand Bazaar.

A sixth-century Byzantine cistern hidden below a modern carpet store.

Ancient serpentine sacrifice holder that has stood the test of time.

This remarkably well-preserved Egyptian plinth is pretty well traveled for a giant piece of stone.

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Legend says if you stick your thumb in the hole and it gets wet your wish will be granted.

Five sultans and their families rest in eternal splendor, teeming with overlooked beauty and drama.

The legendary luxury train passage is commemorated with a charming museum inside its former eastern terminus.