Some Moscow residents once claimed the bizarre, contorted mass of metal on top of the building was used to manipulate minds.

This massive monument honors the first human in space.

The avant-garde design was able to bypass strict Soviet regulations on architecture.

The reason for the strange contortions in the trunks of these "drunken" pine trees in Russia is still a mystery.

A small part of Russia that does not touch any other part of Russia.

A monument to the defenders of the Arctic in Murmansk, Russia.

A 250-year-old timepiece-automaton adorned with golden mechanical birds, which still sing to this day.

A city block packed with whimsical sculptures that seem to be plucked from a tiled fantasy world.

This nostalgic Russian museum is full of USSR cultural artifacts from the 1970s and 80s.

Replica of mosque destroyed by Russia in the 16th century.

A smug-looking cat representing an humorous Russian expletive.

This Russian religious complex is a Frankenstein's chapel that includes influence from almost all the major faiths.

The largest-known fragment of an asteroid that exploded over the southern Ural region in 2013.

Perhaps the tiniest sculpture in Saint Petersburg is a little bronze finch inspired by a song.

An abandoned 14th-century castle and prison complex on a small island in the Neva River.

This late-brutalist masterpiece everyone forgot about was originally created to get the proletariat jazzed about the arts.

The world's tallest statue of a woman wields the world's tallest sword and is at risk of toppling over.

The largest Buddhist city in Europe is a haven for chess fanatics.

A unique museum dedicated to culture and artistry of carpet weaving.

This mysterious but iconic tapered tower appears in many Azeri fairytales and legends.

The building's fluid, wavelike walls are a true feat of architectural ingenuity.

A shrine of fire worship built on top of a natural flame.

Mysterious hillside with a continuously burning natural fire.

Holy Hindu shrine in an enormous, monkey-filled limestone cavern.