A dilapidated psychiatric facility on the outskirts of Milan where electroconvulsive therapy was developed and Napoleon once lived.

A genius of the art of juggling is buried here.

At the entrance of this chapel is a fresco commemorating the dead from the plague outbreak of 1630.

This house is adorned with a serenade macabre from the Counter-Reformation period.

This tiny chapel withstood a massive mudslide and flash flood.

This tiny chapel atop a sea stack is dedicated to the patron saint of Ponza, Saint Silverius.

This high-speed test track is popular with car manufacturers, speed freaks and orbiting astronauts.

This medieval settlement was abandoned after a series of landslides. What remained was largely destroyed during a mock battle for a WWII film reel.

These hut foundations are believed to be the residence of Romulus, founder of Rome.

A narrow opening between the mountains of the Amalfi Coast creates a scenic hidden beach.

Crumbling ruins of the thermal baths that once attracted royals and aristocrats from throughout Europe.

A dismembered holy head stares out from her beautiful reliquary at the St. Dominic Basilica.

The best preserved Paleochristian basilica in Rome hides a number of oddities and secrets.

The origins of a large, medieval castle are shrouded in mystery, but now it's a delightful garden.

According to a local legend, this bridge was constructed by an astrologer with the help of the devil.

According to tradition this is the oldest church in Venice, but its actual age is a mystery.

This magical-looking island is notorious for the misfortunes suffered by its owners.

This ancient altar emerges from the thick forests to reveal the mysteries of Etruscan sacrificial rituals.

When occupying Nazi troops detonated a mine below, medieval frescoes were revealed in this small cliff-side hermitage.

This quaint Italian town keeps losing ground as the sides of its plateau slowly erode.

The venerated body of a 12th century saint is celebrated each year with the 'Race of the Candles.'

Over 50 exquisite hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate a Medici storage room.

A skeleton without arms watches over the side door of one of the most beautiful baroque temples in Mexico.

The ruins of this temple were later chosen by Pope Celestine V to found an abbey and a hermitage.