A gorgeous medieval library where the books are kept in chains.

Italian poet Dante Alighieri is entombed in this small mausoleum in Ravenna, and his hometown of Florence has never been too happy about it.

This Venice bookstore has resigned itself to constant flooding by keeping its books in bathtubs and boats.

As can be expected from a centuries old church built in a canal city, the undercroft of this house of worship is beautifully flooded.

Go inside to really appreciate this 500-year-old technological masterpiece.

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.

A Nesting Doll of Churches.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

One of several skulls claiming to belong to the beheaded St. John the Baptist is on display at this Roman church.

A master of trompe-l'oeil creates a stunning, tourist-fooling dome out of a flat ceiling.

This ritzy Italian market is built around a statue of an unforgiven heretic who was burned for his belief in an endless universe.

Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.

The Pope’s secret escape route.

More sculpture than building, this architecturally significant temple was built on the spot of Saint Peter's crucifixion.

The mummified relic of St. Antoninus.

In Florence's great Duomo, a 26 foot fresco honors a mercenary famous for attacking Florence.

This strange bovine gargoyle is said to have been put in as a passive aggressive form of revenge.

This private skyway is filled with art and was expanded explicitly so that Hitler could appreciate a river.

This bronze boar's snout has been rubbed to a golden sheen by visitors seeking good fortune.

Secret refuge and museum of the Duke of Florence.

Over 50 exquisite hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate a Medici storage room.

A dismembered holy head stares out from her beautiful reliquary at the St. Dominic Basilica.

These medieval skyscrapers dominate the skyline of this small Tuscan town.