Christ the Redeemer Statue
Christ the Redeemer stands with open arms over Rio de Janeiro, serving as one of the most recognized symbols of Brazil. While millions of tourists take the train up Corcovado mountain to see the view, few know the statue acts as a massive lightning rod that endures severe weather constantly. For instance, the original design looked completely different, featuring a figure holding a globe instead of open arms. Furthermore, volunteers wrote secret wishes on the stone tiles before gluing them to the surface. Prepare to look up at the Art Deco giant.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji stands as the ultimate symbol of Japan, a near-perfect cone that has inspired artists and poets for centuries. While millions of tourists view it from the bullet train or climb its slopes every summer, few realize that the mountain is not just a single peak, but a geological layer cake. For instance, the top of the mountain does not belong to the government, but to a religious shrine. Furthermore, the forest at its base is so dense that it reportedly messes with compasses. Prepare to climb the slopes of Fujisan.
Virgil
Virgil stands as the greatest poet of the Roman Empire, a man whose words defined the glory of Rome for millennia. While students today struggle through his Latin verses in classrooms, the real man was a shy, rustic perfectionist who would have hated the fame he achieved. For instance, he spent the Middle Ages not being remembered as a writer, but as a wizard who built magical defenses for the city of Naples. Furthermore, he famously tried to destroy his life’s work on his deathbed. Prepare to sing of arms and the man.