The legendary cliffside castle of three-time Voivode of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler.

Nine centuries-old fortresses guard the walls of this medieval Romanian city.

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.

This massive underground salt mine now holds a sci-fi theme park in its depths.

This fairy-tale castle would make Dracula (who is said to have been imprisoned there) jealous.

A stunning 18th century pharmacy and medieval chemist's collection.

Something's watching you.

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."

A fire once nearly devoured this gorgeous 14th-century Gothic cathedral.

The European towns of Brașov and Râșnov each have proud signs reminiscent of the Hollywood sign.

This snug medieval lane is one of the narrowest streets in the world.

This memorial to the victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989 is often compared to a potato on a skewer.

A small window on Via Piella offers a lovely and rare peek at Bologna's lost canals.

A beloved local artist has been honored with this statue of a man emerging from a toilet.

The mummified relic of St. Catherine sits forever on a golden throne.

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.

Once known for its horse-powered knife sharpening, this 200-year-old shop offers an array of blades and hard-to-find culinary tools.

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

A striking memorial recalls thousands of Bolognese men and women killed fighting fascists in World War II.

The remains of an ancient Roman city are hidden underneath Bologna's beautiful public library.

In medieval times this small stone seat was used as a bizarre way to punish insolvent debtors.

Built to repay the sins of the father, this church is home to one of the most valuable works of Western art.

A complex, nine-layer maze on the grounds of a Venetian doge's playground.

A medieval, mosaic-lined baptistry built by a heretical Christian sect.