A former special storage facility for documents during the Cold War.

Europe's highest peak is a key pillar of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge.

A man-made island fort that has housed soldiers, scientists, and ravers.

Stalinist skyscraper built with help of cryotechnology.

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

Site of the world's largest nuclear explosion.

The California secessionist movement has its own foreign embassy, in Russia of all places.

Gargantuan home of Russian science.

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

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

A scale model of Russia so big visitors are offered binoculars to rent so they can see the whole thing.

No one knows why ancient labyrinths were built on this tiny northern island.

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

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

Siberian ghost town built by gulag prisoners.

Abandoned castle was once a grand example of Russian privilege, built exclusively to win a frivolous bet between noblemen.

The tallest hotel in Europe.

A remote forest of stone pillars along the Lena river.

The world's second-largest excavated hole.

Former headquarters of the KGB.

The villagers of the coldest inhabited place on Earth adjust to unique challenges presented by day-to-day living.

The oldest museum in Russia is home to a fascinating collection of nearly two million anthropological artifacts and anatomical curiosities.

An 18th century wonder of the world, lost in WWII, re-created at the Catherine Palace.

Stunning examples of Russia's 18th-century wooden architecture.