Kazan is a cosmopolitan mix of cultures. This is symbolized by the Temple of All Religions, an idiosyncratic temple that combines various types of sacred architecture and 16 world religions. One of the Golden Horde's great cities, Kazan only became Russian in the 16th century, when it was conquered by Ivan the Terrible. The capital of the semi-autonomous Republic of Tatarstan, Kazan's population is evenly split between ethnic Russians, and Tatars, the descendants of Genghis Khan's army, who now speak a language related to Turkish and practice Islam. This heritage is clear in the city's grand churches and mosques, many located in and around the Kazan Kremlin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Ivan the Great to defend his conquest, the charming Kremlin is still surrounded by snow-white walls and towers, and encompasses colorful buildings that include Tatarstan's presidential palace, a cathedral and monastery, and a towering mosque. Russia's third most prosperous city, Kazan is the country's official sports capital, hosting major international athletic championships nearly every year. Here you can find a new take on Russia's past, and a hopeful vision of its future.