Romania's triumphal arch looks out over Bucharest.

This communist behemoth is the heaviest building in the world and a legacy of a brutal regime.

A medieval church built up to defend its village.

Gigantic Romanian salt mines used to heal respiratory conditions.

Romania's only crater lake with water as pure as if distilled.

A muddy alien landscape that is home to rare species of exotic plants.

The bust of Romania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Dracula aka "Vlad the Impaler," keeps watch over the ruins of his medieval court.

This once-derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

Once an opulent Art Nouveau hotspot, the Constanța Casino is one of Romania's most beautiful abandoned buildings.

A small town Romanian cemetery filled with darkly humorous gravestones.

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

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

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

This eccentric folly house was designed by Romanian thinker Bogdan-Petriceicu Hasdeu, with a helping hand from his deceased daughter's spirit.

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

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

Conspiracy theories and occult legends surround this mysterious natural rock formation.

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

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