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

Gods clash with machines in a power plant regenerated as a museum.

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

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

The final resting place of the poets Shelley and Keats.

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

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

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

A sculpture serving as an homage to Pope John Paul II.

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

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

A fairy tale castle in modern Rome.

Architectureal fantasy quarter of Rome.

This Italian stadium makes liberal use of fascist statuary to evoke classical sporting arenas.

This winding road through an Italian canyon may be the most scenic drive in the world.

Italian poet Dante Alighieri is entombed in this small mausoleum in Ravenna, and his hometown of Florence has never been too happy about it.

Fortified medieval tower house with lovely roof garden.

This bustling Italian plaza is built on the ruins of an ancient Roman amphitheater.

Walk through a fairytale in Tuscany.

The world's longest and deepest train tunnel.

This half-finished "city of toys" was almost Italy's own Las Vegas.

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.

A small window on Via Piella offers a lovely and rare peek at Bologna's lost canals.