This lakeside bunker complex in Mamerki, Poland, housed the Supreme Military Command of Nazi Germany during World War II.

This Nazi ruin was the site where Hitler was almost blown up by a suitcase bomb.

The river-powered ferry dates back to 1970s.

This magnificent Art Deco church is a reflection of Lithuania’s turbulent history.

This striking structure is the Socialist-modernist centerpiece of a former Soviet spa resort.

Launch site for nuclear war against Western Europe.

An abandoned masterpiece of Soviet Brutalist architecture.

Once known throughout Europe, this tiny and unusually progressive 18th century micro-nation within Lithuania now lies in ruins.

Sculpture garden of religious statues made it through Soviet rule.

A memorial to the murdered Jews of Kaunas.

A curious art park at the geographic center of Europe is home to 3,000 television sets and other wonders.

A narrow strip of land is home to the tallest migrating dunes in Europe.

An old hill fort covered in over 100,000 crosses is a symbol of Lithuanian nationalism and beliefs.

A statue built to honor the elite soldiers who fought for Latvia during World War I.

3,000 market stands in five former Zeppelin hangars.

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.

Flamboyant architecture from the turn of 20th century.

This statue is dedicated to the animal cosmonauts that perished during space flight experiments.

This former Nazi labor camp is now a poignant memorial, complete with giant Soviet-style monuments.

This ornate church has survived Nazi and Soviet occupation, including a short stint as a Soviet-era gymnasium and cinema.

The mile-long pier stretches from a ruined fortress out into the Baltic.

These crumbling Latvian forts make for some haunting seaside ruins.

Rent a barrel for a personal view of where the Baltic Sea meets the Gulf of Riga.

These abandoned vessels are destined to be reclaimed by the forest.