FredericM's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Verona, Italy

Whale Bone of Arco della Costa

A whale rib was used to advertise the store by the arch that offered exotic goods from far away.
Verona, Italy

Juliet's Balcony

Pilgrimage site for star-crossed lovers.
Siena, Italy

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena

First founded in 1472, this is the oldest bank in the world. Its history may explain why we call financial institutions "banks."
Siena, Italy

St. Catherine of Siena's Severed Head

A dismembered holy head stares out from her beautiful reliquary at the St. Dominic Basilica.
San Gimignano, Italy

Towers of San Gimignano

These medieval skyscrapers dominate the skyline of this small Tuscan town.
Ravenna, Italy

Mausoleum of Theoderic

The roof of this ancient mausoleum is made from a single Istrian stone weighing a massive 230 tons.
Ravenna, Italy

Baptistery of Neon

Psychoanalyst Carl Jung reported a paranormal experience after visiting this mosaic-lined Roman baptistry.
Ravenna, Italy

Basilica of San Vitale

This 6th-century church has the largest and best-preserved collection of Byzantine mosaics outside Constantinople.
Ravenna, Italy

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia

An incredible mosaic-lined monument said to have held the remains of an ancient Roman empress.
Ravenna, Italy

Dante's Tomb

Italian poet Dante Alighieri is entombed in this small mausoleum in Ravenna, and his hometown of Florence has never been too happy about it.
Ravenna, Italy

Flooded Crypt of San Francesco

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

The Camposanto

Next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa is a cemetery home to ancient sarcophagi and disturbing murals.
Pisa, Italy

Guy Rope Anchors for the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The only visible reminders of an elaborate engineering project that kept the tower from reaching the tipping point.
Padua, Italy

Prato della Valle

One of the largest squares in Europe contains an entire artificial island.
Padua, Italy

Tomb of Antenor

The tomb of the mythological founder of Padua is not hidden in some obscure crypt, but stands right in the middle of the city square.
Padua, Italy

Pietra del Vituperio (Stone of Shame)

In medieval times this small stone seat was used as a bizarre way to punish insolvent debtors.
Padua, Italy

La Specola Observatory

This old medieval prison tower has been a site of astronomical research for more than 250 years.
Padua, Italy

St. Anthony's Tongue

The incorrupt tongue of the patron saint of lost things is venerated in this basilica.
Padua, Italy

Botanical Garden of Padua - Orto botanico di Padova

The oldest botanical garden in the world that technically isn't the oldest.
Padua, Italy

Scrovegni Chapel

Built to repay the sins of the father, this church is home to one of the most valuable works of Western art.
Padua, Italy

Padua Astronomical Clock

One of the world's oldest working clocks is curiously missing the Zodiac sign of Libra.
Milan, Italy

Ear of Vicolo Gazzana

A small sculpture that pays homage to the famous bronze ear of Ca de l'Oreggia—or does it?
Milan, Italy

Dancing Bull of Good Fortune

Third time's a charm, or in this case, two testicles are.
Milan, Italy

Ruins of the Circo Romano

See what remains of a once grand ancient Roman circus.