This effigy of Peter the Great is greatly disproportionate.

Inside the world's largest seed bank, WWII botanists elected to starve to death rather than compromise their collection.

A replica of the straw hut where Vladimir Lenin lived in hiding, disguised as a hay farmer, in 1917.

An art museum inside an active factory.

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

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

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

An ever-growing literary collection housed in the apartment where the Russian author penned his final novel.

Once frequented by heavyweights of the Russian arts scene, this café is stuck in the 1800s.

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

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

Palace where the nearly un-killable Rasputin was murdered.

Home to what was once considered the largest gate in central Asia.

The heartbeat of modern Uzbekistan’s thriving market culture.

Beautiful palace stands tall over the Fergana Valley.

Looking for a unifying history, Uzbekistan finds its answer in a 14th Century Turco-Mongol conqueror... despite the fact he wasn't Uzbek.

Giant cauldrons overflow with Uzbekistan's favorite rice dish at this cavernous dining hall.

An 18-meter-long sarcophagus of a constantly growing dead prophet.

The ruins of an ancient Zoroastrian Tower of Silence believed to be the earliest example of the traditional funerary practice.

This "tower of death" has acted as an observatory, a religious hub, and an executioner's lair.

Final palace complex of the last of 29 Kokand rulers.

Ancient barriers wrap around what was once an important stop along the Silk Road.

Light still pours into the ruins of this ancient Islamic observatory.

The Avenue of Mausolea is a series of grand palatial tombs.