The Renaissance-era courthouse is a relic from the fortified town's centuries of Venetian rule.

Island wonderland for communist autocrats.

This spire on an Austrian mountain is wrapped around a long spiral slide and has the world's tallest wooden observation deck.

The world's most important buildings shrunk to a tiny size.

The medieval "dragon" on an Austrian city's coat-of-arms comes to life in a fountain.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

A chain of 16 wondrous lakes formed as a result of the gradual dissolution of soluble layers of bedrock.

The walls of this medieval church are covered with perfectly preserved frescos, including a pristine example of the Dance of Death.

Castle and secret tunnel withstood a siege until its owner was killed by the Holy Roman Empire, while sitting on the toilet.

The "dragon babies" of southeastern Europe.

A miniature train-ride through Slovenia's largest cave system.

Where the lovelorn find a home for their sentimental keepsakes.

A whimsical bridge adorned with decorative dragons.

This abandoned Slovenian military barracks has become a punky-political art squat.

Colorful power station with a chimney equipped with a gallery for exhaust monitoring equipment.