The link between these two seemingly disparate themes is crucial to the history of this Tuscan hill town.

One of seven Jewish catacombs in Rome and one of only two open to the public.

An abandoned Roman salami factory has found new life as an art space home to 200 squatters.

A Nesting Doll of Churches.

The Pope’s secret escape route.

This delightful little museum is dedicated to only one thing: pasta.

The martyr's wax-enhanced skeletal remains lie preserved in a glass case in the Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.

This beautiful park on the outskirts of Rome protects the ruins of two colossal ancient aqueducts.

One of several skulls claiming to belong to the beheaded St. John the Baptist is on display at this Roman church.

A hospital where antique dolls are given new life.

This ritzy Italian market is built around a statue of an unforgiven heretic who was burned for his belief in an endless universe.

This former Roman Catholic Church still contains the embalmed hearts and organs of 22 popes.

A collection of objects supposedly singed by the hands of souls in purgatory.

The skull of the patron saint of lovers lies in the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin—maybe.

The underground sanctuary of a mysterious ancient cult.

At the crypt of St. Mary of Eulogies and the Dead you are left alone to ponder mortality among piles of skulls.

A master of trompe-l'oeil creates a stunning, tourist-fooling dome out of a flat ceiling.

This hidden Art Nouveau courtyard is an opulent feast for the eyes.

The yawning maw of this pagan visage is said to bite off the hands of liars.

An alchemist's "magic door" stands in the middle of a Roman park.

Architectureal fantasy quarter of Rome.

The crypts of Capuchin friars decorated with the bones of over 4,000 friars, including an entire "crypt of pelvises."

Hundreds of lucky felines haunt the ruins where Caesar was murdered.

A fairy tale castle in modern Rome.