The last moments of the ill-fated Pompeiians, frozen forever in plaster.

A surreal botanical garden with an even more surreal tour guide.

A rococo room covered entirely in porcelain originally constructed for another royal residence.

This magical-looking island is notorious for the misfortunes suffered by its owners.

These "anatomical machines" are only one of the many strange items in this Italian crypt.

A labyrinth of ancient tunnels hidden below the city holds the ruins of 2,500 years of history.

An old, deep well, connected with a miraculous, divine rescue and the patron saint of Madrid.

One of Madrid's oldest trees, with a long and colorful history, resides in El Retiro Park.

An automaton perched above an classic clock and watch store

Madrid's last horchata kiosk is a blue-and-white beacon of refreshment.

Earth's rocky history has rarely glittered so brightly as it does in this Spanish museum.

This funky former tobacco factory is one of the most striking examples of Madrid's cultural diversity.

This macabre masterpiece of a mural is one of Francisco Goya's "Black Paintings."

One of the world's oldest universities houses an incredible collection of anatomical models, mummified body parts, and human bones.

A whimsical brother of the nearby Fallen Angel statue takes the falling part quite literally.

A lush indoor jungle fills this bustling Madrid transportation hub.

Abandoned for decades, trains still pass through the now-restored remains of one of Madrid's first metro stations.

One of the most photographed buildings in a city known for its Modernista architecture is an abandoned squat.

This colorful statue welcomes visitors to a Barcelona park.

Barcelona's only remaining tram system takes riders to the Tibidabo funicular.

The unexpectedly beloved remnants of a controversial thermal power plant.

An eclectic collection of thousands of items owned by the sculptor Frederic Marès.

For one day every month Barcelona's Estació de França transforms into a market for model trains.

The oldest giants in Catalonia are now displayed in a 14th-century Gothic church.