There is actually a real fairy tale castle in Rome. It was built under directions from its weirdo owner Giovanni Torlonia (last descendant of a noble Roman family of french descent) who... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by athomio, Rachel and others

A skull resides in a glass reliquary in a small basilica in Rome, surrounded by flowers. Lettering painted across the forehead identify the owner as none other than of the patron saint of lovers,... »

Memento Mori, Relics and Reliquaries | Edited by Annetta, Nicholas Jackson and 2 others

Walking from the center of Rome, Via Appia, or the Appian Way seems like another small ruin, lined with cafes and restaurants looking to take the tourist dollar. In reality, it is one of the... »

Incredible Ruins | Edited by A Facebook user, atimian and others

Known as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, the Catacombs of San Sebastian have long attracted devout Christian pilgrims and curious visitors. Along the first four mile stretch of Via... »

Memento Mori, Relics and Reliquaries, Catacombs, Crypts, & Cemeteries, Subterranean Sites | Edited by atimian and Dylan

Vigna Randanini is one of seven Jewish catacombs in Rome, Italy, and one of just two that are open to the public. The catacombs were discovered in an area once known as “Vigna Randanini” between... »

Memento Mori, Catacombs, Crypts, & Cemeteries, Obscura Day Location | Edited by AllisonEng and Nicholas Jackson

A sweeping view of Rome is perfectly contained in the keyhole of a non-descript looking door on the Aventine Hill, neatly placing the dome of St. Peter's right in the center. The doorway in... »

Optical Oddities, Curious Places of Worship | Edited by Annetta

On May 6, 1527 a rogue army of 35,000 mercenaries and soldiers descended on Rome. The Pope found himself on the wrong side of international land-grab politics, religious reformations that had... »

Architectural Oddities | Edited by Annetta

It's been the site of jousting knights and frolicking revelers in carnivale celebrations. Garibaldi defended Rome from the top of it, while wine cooled in caves under it. It has stood in for... »

Geological Oddities | Edited by Annetta and Dylan

Industry is the backdrop for divinity at the Centrale Montemartini in Rome. Formerly the first public electricity plant, the Giovanni Montemartini Thermoelectric Centre has been reimagined as a... »

Museums and Collections, Electrical Oddities | Edited by allison and wythe

One of the largest secret Mithraic temples in Rome is hidden next to the famous Circus Maximus. Discovered in 1931 as part of Rome's fascist-era building projects, the small subterranean space was... »

Long Now Locations, Curious Places of Worship, Subterranean Sites | Edited by Annetta and Dylan