This breathtaking monastery was established by Saint Benedict himself 1,500 years ago.

Eco-village hidden in the foothills of the Alps that created a massive system of psychedelic underground temples.

A fairytale island floats in the middle of Italy's little-known Lake Orta.

This immaculate and historic water garden culminates in a massive stone dining table with an inset fountain for chilling the wine of the Cardinal's guests.

This sword isn't waiting for a king to pull it out. It was placed there by a saint.

The once forbidden "secret cabinet" of erotic art from excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The doodles of a genius line the walls of a secret room under the Medici Chapel, where they were hidden for nearly 500 years.

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.

Renaissance villa and gardens complete with a tormented colossus.

Architectureal fantasy quarter of Rome.

A submerged archeological park still holds the wonders of a Roman Sodom.

This curious, round temple is the oldest still-standing marble building in Rome.

A treasure trove of Renaissance-era funerary art in a Roman church built on top of Nero's grave.

The final resting place of the poets Shelley and Keats.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

Rome's semi-secret peephole vista is also a former Crusader stronghold.

This hidden Art Nouveau courtyard is an opulent feast for the eyes.

A master of trompe-l'oeil creates a stunning, tourist-fooling dome out of a flat ceiling.

An alchemist's "magic door" stands in the middle of a Roman park.