Italy

The church of Santa Margherita d'Antiocha was constructed in 1318 on top of an existing 6th century building. The watchtower of Belforte Castle, above the port, is from the 15th century and incorporates 11th century fortifications.

The church of Santa Margherita d'Antiocha was constructed in 1318 on top of an existing 6th century building. The watchtower of Belforte Castle, above the port, is from the 15th century and incorporates 11th century fortifications.

Bologna is known for its porticoes. The streets all have different styles of porticoes, depending on what year they were constructed.

Bologna is known for its porticoes. The streets all have different styles of porticoes, depending on what year they were constructed.

The Two Towers of Bologna, constructed in the 12th century. The taller Torri degli Asinelli is 321 feet, leans slightly, and can be climbed via almost 500 steps. Torri Garisenda is half that height, and is closed to entry because it leans even more.

The Two Towers of Bologna, constructed in the 12th century. The taller Torri degli Asinelli is 321 feet, leans slightly, and can be climbed via almost 500 steps. Torri Garisenda is half that height, and is closed to entry because it leans even more.

There were four levels in the Caracalla baths. These are near the southeast apodyterium

There were four levels in the Caracalla baths. These are near the southeast apodyterium

Santa Margherita d'Antiocha was widened through the 16th & 17th centuries, but the inside feels as it must have felt when it was first constructed in the 14th century - dark, plain, and humble. Beautiful in its own right.

Santa Margherita d'Antiocha was widened through the 16th & 17th centuries, but the inside feels as it must have felt when it was first constructed in the 14th century - dark, plain, and humble. Beautiful in its own right.

Looking up inside the old Church of the Sepulchre.

Looking up inside the old Church of the Sepulchre.

The northern walls of the natatio, containing an Olympic-sized swimming pool

The northern walls of the natatio, containing an Olympic-sized swimming pool

Looking back towards Monterosso al Mare, from the trail leading to Vernazza

Looking back towards Monterosso al Mare, from the trail leading to Vernazza

Looking at the natatio walls from the frigidarium. The architecture was copied in Chicago and New York rail stations.

Looking at the natatio walls from the frigidarium. The architecture was copied in Chicago and New York rail stations.

Castle Massimo sits in a protective stance above Arsoli, Italy.

Castle Massimo sits in a protective stance above Arsoli, Italy.

Swallows in San Gimignano, Italy.

Swallows in San Gimignano, Italy.

The brick belltower of the 13th-century Chiesa San Rocco, a tiny chapel in Arsoli, Italy.

The brick belltower of the 13th-century Chiesa San Rocco, a tiny chapel in Arsoli, Italy.

The Two Towers of Bologna, constructed in the 12th century. The taller Torri degli Asinelli is 321 feet, leans slightly, and can be climbed via almost 500 steps. Torri Garisenda is half that height, and is closed to entry because it leans even more.

The Two Towers of Bologna, constructed in the 12th century. The taller Torri degli Asinelli is 321 feet, leans slightly, and can be climbed via almost 500 steps. Torri Garisenda is half that height, and is closed to entry because it leans even more.

Drying laundry out the windows next to the 13th-century tower of San Giovanni Battista. The watch tower was built to be a part of the five towns' defensive network, and was later incorporated as the bell tower for the church.

Drying laundry out the windows next to the 13th-century tower of San Giovanni Battista. The watch tower was built to be a part of the five towns' defensive network, and was later incorporated as the bell tower for the church.

This out-of-place mosaic was done sometime in the second half of the 16th century, on the west side of the frigidarium

This out-of-place mosaic was done sometime in the second half of the 16th century, on the west side of the frigidarium

14th-century Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence not destroyed by Germans during WWII

14th-century Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence not destroyed by Germans during WWII

Marble lining can still be seen in some places throughout the complex, like here in the southeast palaestra

Marble lining can still be seen in some places throughout the complex, like here in the southeast palaestra

This old house sits next to the 11th-century Benedictine Castle Massimo. Arsoli, Italy.

This old house sits next to the 11th-century Benedictine Castle Massimo. Arsoli, Italy.

Mosaics in the hall to the southeast palaestra

Mosaics in the hall to the southeast palaestra

The natatio, where an Olympic-sized swimming pool once was, from the southeast apodyterium

The natatio, where an Olympic-sized swimming pool once was, from the southeast apodyterium