If you want to talk to the Pope you will have to stare down this surreal vision of Jesus rising from a nuclear hell.

This ancient Roman prison is decorated with an upside-down cross not as blasphemy but as saintly tribute.

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

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

Jesus' footprints and the first catacombs in the world.

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.

Hidden beneath the famous St. Peter's Basilica is a veritable city of the dead that may hold the remains of St. Peter himself.

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.

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

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.

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

This doorless 20th-century elevator doesn't stop or slow down.

This mysterious abandoned fort looks like something pulled right from Arabian legend.

The largest falcon hospital in the world, caring for over 6,000 feathered patients every year.

This enormous sports car themed amusement park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.

Feed it cash, get your very own gold bar.

The world’s largest LED display, built over an F1 race circuit.

A preposterously luxurious hotel with gold-plated iPads, Rolls Royce chauffeurs, and a staff that trains by watching "Downton Abbey."