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

The Pope’s secret escape route.

A sunken idol welcomes parishioners to Davy Jones' Locker.

This ancient Roman prison is decorated with an upside-down cross not as blasphemy but as saintly tribute.

A fairytale island floats in the middle of Italy's little-known Lake Orta.

Where Aleister Crowley taught magick in "La Chambre Des Cauchemars," his "Chamber of Nightmares."

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

The plague quarantine island home to the alleged "Vampire of Venice."

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

A Nesting Doll of Churches.

The location of the last witch trials of Italy, known as "The Salem of Europe."

Filled with goldfish swimming in a shallow pool of sea water, this ancient crypt is more wishing well than burial site.

David Sedaris called it "The greatest shop in the world."

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.

This sword isn't waiting for a king to pull it out. It was placed there by a saint.

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.

Skulls from the plague of 1656 and World War II bombings are united by a cult dedicated to caring for the ancient dead.

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

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

Abandoned medieval hill town.

This enchanting 600-year-old tree is so magical it inspired the beloved tale of Pinocchio.

The once forbidden "secret cabinet" of erotic art from excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum.