Once in disrepair, this popular Texas stop along iconic Route 66 has been restored to its past glory.

Once one of the world's great cities, Cahokia was a place of religious worship, trade and mass human sacrifice before being mysteriously abandoned.

A 16th-century horror show built in a lovely Italian garden.

A small cell adjacent to this church was once the bedroom for a renowned saint.

Plaques on its facade commemorate the Tiber's most destructive deluges.

Romans decided this 16th-century "talking statue" was so ugly, they named it after a primate.

A detailed pachyderm supports Rome's smallest Egyptian obelisk.

One of Catholicism's four major basilicas has a series of papal portraits that are said to predict the end of the world.

A huge enchanting public park just outside the ancient walls of Rome.

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

The spot where the fascist dictator made some of his most famous speeches including declaring war on Britain and France.

The studio built by fascists in the hopes of "reviving the film industry" with the occasional propaganda film opportunity thrown in.

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

The "Greatest Sewer" of ancient Rome is one of the oldest sewer systems in the world, and is still in use.

This hill made entirely of ancient Roman jars was simply a garbage dump to the people of the time.

More sculpture than building, this architecturally significant temple was built on the spot of Saint Peter's crucifixion.

A mysterious chasm in the heart of the ancient Roman Forum, the Lacus Curtius was once believed to be a gateway to hell.

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

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

The Pope’s secret escape route.

This beautiful park on the outskirts of Rome protects the ruins of two colossal ancient aqueducts.

One of several skulls claiming to belong to the beheaded St. John the Baptist is on display at this Roman church.

A Nesting Doll of Churches.

This ritzy Italian market is built around a statue of an unforgiven heretic who was burned for his belief in an endless universe.