This hidden alley near the location of Rome's first theater was the site of a curious miracle.

This ancient Roman arch misled treasure hunters for centuries.

This palatial building houses a remarkable gallery of papal portraits.

This Romanesque church is built over the tomb of a martyr who legend says defeated a dragon.

A medieval stronghold rising over the ruins of ancient Roman villas along Rome's southern coast.

A lavish 16th-century mansion filled with spectacular staircases, fantastic frescoes, and gorgeous gardens.

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

This serene, turquoise lake in an extraordinary nature reserve showcases a rare natural phenomenon.

Remnants of a 4th-century church with vivid medieval frescoes and ancient sarcophagi hide beneath this old basilica.

An 18th-century post box used to alert the church of sick and ailing foreign pilgrims.

A deep mark on the remains of a Roman temple, believed to be left by a legendary warrior.

A fortified medieval basilica on the Caelian Hill preserves extraordinary frescoes and one of Rome's most beautiful hidden cloisters.

A semi-abandoned village destroyed by U.S. bombings during World War II dominates the valley of Turano.

This unusually shaped fortress houses a blend of centuries-old frescoes and modern art.

A statue representing a lost Roman profession that was vandalized for centuries.

A micronation on an islet along the coast of a Portuguese island.

Portugal’s highest lighthouse has one of the most impressive focal planes in the world.

Legend said this huge, gnarled tree sheltered the saint during a storm.

The former home of an Italian artist is now a shrine to his ambitious works.

Charles Dickens was not a fan of the ghastly wall dressings in this 6th century church.

An Italian ghost town that fought obscurity, until a mysterious illness brought it to its knees.

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

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

Also known as the Square Colosseum, this building is a prime example of fascist-era rationalist architecture.