michw's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Sofia, Bulgaria

The Necropolis of St. Sophia Church

Underneath this Byzantinian church lies a necropolis filled with ancient tombs and the ruins of previous churches.
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Ascension Cathedral

Rebuilt several decades ago, its striking murals prevent it from being reconsecrated as a church.
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Asen Dynasty Monument

An homage to the medieval rulers of Bulgaria.
Sofia, Bulgaria

National Palace of Culture

A vast Communist-era exhibition space in the Bulgarian capital.
Sofia, Bulgaria

Statue of Sveta Sofia

"Holy Wisdom" overlooks the city that became its namesake.
Sofia, Bulgaria

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

A striking symbol of the Bulgarian capital.
Sofia, Bulgaria

Monument to the Soviet Army

A Bulgarian monument to Russia's role in World War II is constantly being painted in pop culture protest.
Rilski manastir, Bulgaria

Rila Monastery

This historic black and white monastery is one of Bulgaria's architectural jewels.
Bucharest, Romania

Memorial of Rebirth

This memorial to the victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989 is often compared to a potato on a skewer.
Bucharest, Romania

Arcul de Triumf

Romania's triumphal arch looks out over Bucharest.
Bucharest, Romania

Palace of the Parliament

This communist behemoth is the heaviest building in the world and a legacy of a brutal regime.
Brașov, Romania

Biserica Neagră (The Black Church)

A fire once nearly devoured this gorgeous 14th-century Gothic cathedral.
Brașov, Romania

Transylvania's "Hollywood" Signs

The European towns of Brașov and Râșnov each have proud signs reminiscent of the Hollywood sign.
Brașov, Romania

Strada Sforii (Rope Street)

This snug medieval lane is one of the narrowest streets in the world.
Bucharest, Romania

Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court)

The bust of Romania’s most notorious ruler, Vlad Dracula aka "Vlad the Impaler," keeps watch over the ruins of his medieval court.
Bucharest, Romania

Cărturești Carusel Bookstore

This once-derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.
Bran, Romania

Bran Castle

The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle."
Sinaia, Romania

Peleș Castle

This elaborately decorated, fairytale-like Romanian royal palace is one of the most striking castles in Europe.
Split, Croatia

Gregory of Nin’s Big Toe

The big toe of this towering monument to a Croatian national hero is worn from years of superstitious rubbing.
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik Cathedral Treasury (Riznica Katedrale)

A wunderkammer of gold and silver reliquaries and ancient saintly bones.
Sárospatak, Hungary

Tengerszem Nature Preserve

An industrial site turned into Hungary's most cherished natural wonder.
London, England

Rolling Bridge

This unique bridge curls up like a caterpillar to let boats pass and then unfurls again to span a small canal.
Manchester, England

Victoria Arches

Hidden on the urban banks of a Manchester river are a series of abandoned waterside industrial sites.
Rothwell, England

Rhubarb Triangle

A stretch of land where the sour-sweet vegetable is cloaked in darkness and grows so fast you can hear it crack, squeak, and pop.