vonswank's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Paris, France

Le Musee des Moulages

A unrivaled and rather horrifying collection of wax dermatological models.
Paris, France

Statue of Death of the University of Medicine

Statue of death tucked in the University of Medicine courtyard.
Paris, France

Deyrolle Taxidermy

Paris' fabled purveyor of exotic taxidermy and natural history curios.
Paris, France

Museum of the History of Medicine

One of the oldest medical collections in Europe focusing on rare surgical instruments.
Paris, France

Père Lachaise Cemetery

France's most famous cemetery, with some of its most curious tombs.
Paris, France

Catacombes de Paris

The vast, legendary catacombs hold secrets much stranger than stacked bones.
Sant Quirze Safaja, Spain

Church of Sant Miquel del Fai

An enchanting monastery in the Spanish countryside appears lifted from a fantasy tale.
Barcelona, Spain

La Carbonería

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

Sagrada Família

Construction of Barcelona's iconic (but controversial) church is expected to be completed in 2026—a century after the death of its architect.
Rome, Italy

Ospedale delle Bambole (Doll Hospital)

A hospital where antique dolls are given new life.
Rome, Italy

Via Appia

2300-year-old Roman road connecting the empire.
Rome, Italy

Quartiere Coppedè

Architectureal fantasy quarter of Rome.
Rome, Italy

Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts

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

St. Mark's Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio)

Go inside to really appreciate this 500-year-old technological masterpiece.
Venice, Italy

The Mad Colored Houses of Burano

This community on a small Venetian island has taken to painting their houses in bright neon hues.
Bologna, Italy

Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

In the world's oldest university is a stunning 17th century anatomical theater carved from spruce.
Bologna, Italy

Bologna Zoological Museum

This zoological museum began as the first great curiosity cabinet.
Bologna, Italy

Bologna's Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale

An amazing collection of wax anatomical models and terratological models.
Bologna, Italy

Museo di Palazzo Poggi Anatomy & Obstetrics Collection

An extraordinary collection of 18th century anatomical waxworks.
Florence, Italy

La Specola Zoological Museum

An incredible menagerie of more than 3 million taxidermied animals at the oldest science museum in Europe.
Florence, Italy

University of Florence Museum of Pathological Anatomy

This museum is rotten with a century of wax medical deformities.
Florence, Italy

Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents)

Renaissance hospital featuring a rotating door into which unwanted babies were dropped.
Florence, Italy

Medici Hall of Maps (Sala delle Carte Geografiche)

Over 50 exquisite hand-painted Renaissance maps decorate a Medici storage room.
Florence, Italy

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

The oldest operating pharmacy in the world features 800-year-old recipes.