The Pope’s secret escape route.

Rome's ancient Etruscan rival, now a park full of ruins.

A collection of objects supposedly singed by the hands of souls in purgatory.

An Italian ghost town that fought obscurity, until a mysterious illness brought it to its knees.

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

A hospital where antique dolls are given new life.

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

A fairy tale castle in modern Rome.

Architectural monsters are devouring this palace's every door and window.

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

The final resting place of the poets Shelley and Keats.

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.

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

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.

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

Architectureal fantasy quarter of Rome.

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

Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.

St. Francesca Romana, patron saint of drivers, resides in the church she founded.

At the crypt of St. Mary of Eulogies and the Dead you are left alone to ponder mortality among piles of skulls.

The engineering wonder and pleasure dome of a much-maligned emperor still holds undiscovered secrets.

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

The underground sanctuary of a mysterious ancient cult.