A gift from Emperor Franz Joseph I to his wife.

Vienna's diversity-themed traffic lights were inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the middle of a Vienna square, Roman ruins dating back some 2,000 years are on display.

A mechanical clock built in 1914, with a rotation of 12 historical figures on its face.

Terrifically morbid cemetary and site of famous Paracelsus' grave.

Historic medieval fortified city in southwest France.

A copy of the Statue of Liberty greets visitors to the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi.

A mythically themed self-built sculpture park.

Originally envisioned by King Ludwig II to rival Versailles, Herrenchiemsee's "New Palace" remains half-gilded for lack of funds.

Trick water gardens from 1619 featuring a 200 piece mechanical theater powered by water.

When a medieval fire claimed the original St. Stephen’s Cathedral, it sparked a pattern of unquenchable organ building.

Site of the 1889 murder-suicide of crown prince Rudolf and his lover Mary Vetsera.

An ornate private entrance to the Vienna subway built specifically for the emperor.

This grand manse has been transformed into a museum devoted to one of the founders of Fantastic Realism.

Each year melting snow turns these Austrian hiking trails into scuba zones.

"World machine" built by an untrained Austrian farmer.

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

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

Austria's ultra-modern art museum looks like Cthulhu's giant alien heart.

Resting in the middle of an Austrian river, this sci-fi "island" lets people cross in neon style.

The world's largest historic armory was established by independent citizens to defend themselves from the wars of larger forces.

One man's quest to fix his toilet unearthed over 5,000 artifacts spanning more than 2,000 years of history.

One of the most well-preserved castles in Italy also contains a rare medieval example of a port fortification.

Beautiful views and Roman-style statues on the Italian coast.