The Nazis lost more men trying to take this Russian-held Stalingrad apartment block than they did when taking Paris.

The largest Buddhist city in Europe is a haven for chess fanatics.

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

A small part of Russia that does not touch any other part of Russia.

A decommissioned submarine base makes a great space for graffiti art.

This old Estonian mine has been kept like a sprawling time capsule of the local shale industry.

Stunning examples of Russia's 18th-century wooden architecture.

Large military radio station without transmitting towers.

Enigmatic bug-like sculptures mystify drivers along a Swedish highway.

This micronation's flag honors its favorite drink, Kaffegöken, or "cuckoo-coffee."

A Chinese meditation center in the middle of rural Sweden, partly funded by a member of ABBA.

Historic medieval fortified city in southwest France.

Haunting monument to the German Jewish philosopher who died while fleeing fascism.

This castle-fortress is a living example of the transition from medieval defenses to modern fortifications.

A well-preserved medieval village nested on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by a network of cliffs, natural bridges and canyons.

This tri-part waterfall is a little bit of fairytale beauty in the heart of Luxembourg's Little Switzerland.

Former prison camp dedicated to the victims of political repression.

A quarry cum sculpture park where the works of art are chiseled into the very walls.

A Franco-era dam flooded (almost) everyone out of this centuries-old Aragonese town.

Bordered by forest on three sides and the ocean on the other, the Great Dune of Pilat is the highest sand dune in Europe.

Gigantic natural towers in a Russian plateau.

Launch site for nuclear war against Western Europe.

Sculpture garden of religious statues made it through Soviet rule.

The Bauhaus-style former industrial complex is considered the world's most beautiful coal mine.