Site of the world's largest nuclear explosion.

The giant Siberian crater known locally as the "doorway to the underworld" is expanding every year.

This Russian locomotive museum was once devoted just to Lenin's funeral before expanding to encompass Moscow's entire train history.

This newly renovated Soviet-era outdoor exhibition center is bigger than the principality of Monaco.

A monument to Malchik, a stray dog who lived in a Moscow metro station until his tragic death.

A uniquely authentic display of traditional Russian culture.

This massive monument honors the first human in space.

This 15th-century cave complex is one of the very few monasteries to stay open throughout World War II and the Soviet regime.

Stalin's march toward a more modern USSR flooded a monastery, leaving a unique and extravagant nautical marker, "The Flooded Belfry."

An unusual collection of self-made musical instruments and unique noises.

One of the world's tallest statues is also one of its most hated.

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

Stalinist skyscraper built with help of cryotechnology.

Siberian whale bones stand as cairns marking location of an ancient butcher yard.

Former estate of Lenin, now home to his death mask.

Gigantic natural towers in a Russian plateau.

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

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

This cuddly rodent has a place of honor at a Russian institute for genetic research.

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

A dormant lightning machine equal to all the power in Russia.

World's largest bell sits on the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow.

A remote forest of stone pillars along the Lena river.

An early-20th-century "dacha" village of quaint cottages curiously located in a modern part of Moscow.