Venice's "Island of the Mad."

This centuries-old Italian chapel hangs midway down a sheer cliffside.

On rare days, this abandoned castle's gatekeepers open its doors, revealing the eye-popping splendor hidden inside.

The incorrupt tongue of the patron saint of lost things is venerated in this basilica.

The middle finger of modernity.

The naturally mummified body of a peasant girl saint.

Filled with goldfish swimming in a shallow pool of sea water, this ancient crypt is more wishing well than burial site.

Renaissance villa and gardens complete with a tormented colossus.

The skulls and bones of thousands of soldiers line the walls of this small Italian chapel.

Sitting on an Italian hilltop is this surreal fortress built by the mad inventor of electrohomeopathy.

This zoological museum began as the first great curiosity cabinet.

An amazing collection of wax anatomical models and terratological models.

An extraordinary collection of 18th century anatomical waxworks.

A diverse collection of wax, bone, papier-maché and mummified relics.

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.

The mummified relic of St. Catherine sits forever on a golden throne.

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

David Sedaris called it "The greatest shop in the world."

A majestic hotel for dreamers rises from the center of a fairytale wood.

Local lore says the devil built this beautiful medieval bridge to help a fleeing bandit.

The mysterious remains of a martyred teenage saint are venerated inside a small country chapel.

A 12th century church completely covered in shells.

The mystery of the Putim Ossuary involves a tricorn hat.

A 1,000-year-old church holds the bones of the Christian martyrs who died hiding inside it.