A forgotten remnant of the Soviet Union, Transnistria is an unrecognized country hidden behind a heavily militarized border between Moldova and Ukraine.

This once-derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

No one knows who built this strange cave of worship or exactly why.

The romantic botanic tunnel feels like a well-kept secret.

Conspiracy theories and occult legends surround this mysterious natural rock formation.

Some call this eerie forest of crooked trees the "Bermuda Triangle of Romania."

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.

A small town Romanian cemetery filled with darkly humorous gravestones.

This massive underground salt mine now holds a sci-fi theme park in its depths.

Moss and stone turn this waterfall into an otherworldly liquid veil.

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

A celebration of all things tacky, garish, and bizarrely creative in the Romanian capital.

The European towns of Brașov and Râșnov each have proud signs reminiscent of the Hollywood sign.

This bone-filled cave got its name after they found 140 bear skeletons inside.

Romania's only crater lake with water as pure as if distilled.

This Romanian village may have been drowned, but it is long from forgotten.

Even drowned in an ocean of toxic waste, the remnants of this Romanian village stand tall.

One of the oldest churches in Romania is believed to have been built on the site of a pagan temple.

A muddy alien landscape that is home to rare species of exotic plants.

A Romanian church built from one single oak.

17th century palace once a meeting place for politicians.

Home of the first female Hungarian poet, where her secret writing lay hidden for over a century.

Climbing to the top of the cathedral's bell tower offers sweeping views of these medieval ruins.