Melting pot of cultures

A metal mold to bake pancakes in the shape of Misha, the mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. [Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

During the Siege of Kazan, the imam and his pupils were killed while defending Kazan from Ivan the Terrible.

When in Kazan, you can also visit the Lenin House-Museum, which was opened in 1937 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Lenin's family rented the house in 1888 but only stayed there for nine months

At the museum, visitors can learn about the family's daily life from the modestly furnished rooms.

Lenin used to study law at Kazan Federal University but was expelled from there because he joined the students' protest against the czar's government in 1887.

At the university, visitors can sit in Lenin's seat in the classroom.

Near the university is a statue of Lenin in his student years.

If you want to enjoy Kazan－which means "a cooking pot" in the Turkic language－hop onto a double-decker city tour bus to see the streets.

Incidentally, the marriage registry office building in the city looks like a giant cooking pot.

Situated on the other bank of the Kazanka River, the building is surrounded by sculptures of legendary animals.

Tartarstan's Ministry of Agriculture and Food building in the city is done in Gothic style, with a 20-meter-high iron tree forming part of its gate.