christopherfrance's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place
Leaderboard Highlights
christopherfrance's activity rankings
1st
Places visited in Alnwick, England
1st
Places visited in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
1st
Places visited in Dunure, Scotland
2nd
Places visited in Highland, Scotland
4th
Places visited in Padua, Italy
Loading map...
Bologna, Italy

Towers of Bologna

Over 100 towers were built in Bologna during the Middle Ages, but only 22 survive.
StepYoshi Added by StepYoshi
Bologna, Italy

Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

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

Statue of Pope Gregory XIII

A large statue of Pope Gregory XIII in Bologna was disguised as Saint Petronius to avoid destruction.
StepYoshi Added by StepYoshi
Bologna, Italy

Monument to Fallen Partisans

A striking memorial recalls thousands of Bolognese men and women killed fighting fascists in World War II.
casualmonolith Added by casualmonolith
Bologna, Italy

Fountain of Neptune

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.
talkinmonkey Added by talkinmonkey
Bologna, Italy

Antica Aguzzeria del Cavallo

Once known for its horse-powered knife sharpening, this 200-year-old shop offers an array of blades and hard-to-find culinary tools.
Leigh ChavezBush Added by Leigh ChavezBush
Bologna, Italy

The Demon of Palazzo Salina

This building features dozens of faces along its facade, although one is a bit chilling.
Marco Dst Added by Marco Dst
Bologna, Italy

The Three Arrows

Stuck in the arcade of Casa Isolani are three arrows of mysterious origins.
Marco Dst Added by Marco Dst
Venice, Italy

Scala Contarini del Bovolo

This palatial spiral staircase was so unusual the name "snail" was given to the noble family who built it.
matthiasheinrich Added by matthiasheinrich
Venice, Italy

Church of San Giacomo di Rialto

According to tradition this is the oldest church in Venice, but its actual age is a mystery.
StepYoshi Added by StepYoshi
Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Bock Casemates

An expansive complex of subterranean tunnels is all that remains of one of Europe's most formidable medieval fortresses.
Added by graknil
Liège, Belgium

The Lucifer of Liège

A marble Lucifer hides behind the pulpit of this Gothic cathedral.
Cali Buckley Added by Cali Buckley
Liège, Belgium

Bueren Mountain

This giant urban staircase was built to keep the city's brave fighting men from getting waylaid in the red light district.
daanphoto24 Added by daanphoto24
Liège, Belgium

Collégiale Sainte-Croix de Liège

A once-magnificent collegiate church is falling into ruin.
Molly McBride Jacobson Added by Molly McBride Jacobson
Aachen, Germany

The Toaster

A distinctive former power plant turned university lecture hall looks like it could make you breakfast.
pjrussell Added by pjrussell
Aachen, Germany

Printen Museum

This bakery and museum offers tours of the tastes and mythology of Aachen's signature spice biscuit—just don't ask for the recipe.
Reina Gattuso Added by Reina Gattuso
Cologne, Germany

St. Petersglocke

The largest bell in the world has been swinging high above a Cologne cathedral for almost a century.
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser
Cologne, Germany

Secret Grave in the Pylon of Severinsbrücke Bridge

The body of at least one victim of a construction accident was left behind in the collapsed pylon, buried under tons of concrete.
Christine Williamson Added by Christine Williamson
Nottingham, England

The Flying Horse

A 15th-century former coaching inn forms the implausibly grand entrance to a 1980s shopping mall.
Capemarsh Added by Capemarsh
Nottingham, England

The Exchange Murals

These 90-year-old murals of local kings, Vikings, and outlaws hide in plain sight in a beautifully baroque shopping arcade.
Capemarsh Added by Capemarsh
Halifax, England

Piece Hall

This Georgian architectural masterpiece is the only cloth hall left in Britain.
Dr Alan P Newman Added by Dr Alan P Newman
Bingley, England

Cottingley Beck

The photographs of "fairies" that fooled much of the world (including the creator of Sherlock Homes) were taken at this English stream.
AaronNetsky Added by AaronNetsky
Ripponden, England

Stott Hall Farm

The house in the middle of the motorway.
Added by sophiep87
Ripponden, England

Windy Hill

The longest cutting on the M62 contains some surprises—though it's best to leave the motorway to appreciate them.
jooniur Added by jooniur