Almost one and a half centuries have passed since the novel “Michael Strogoff: The Courier of the Czar” was published in 1876. At the time, Russia was only known to a handful of erudite. But the land of czars is the stuff of dreams and “Michael Strogoff” was a rousing success. In this episode, we follow in his footsteps—taking us all the way to Lake Baikal in the heart of distant Siberia. Straddling two eras, from Czarist Russia to the present day, 70 years of Soviet domination have gone by. What remains of the palaces, churches, and cities that served as backdrops for our hero? About Mythical Roads: Whether remote or packed with tourists, recent or old, famous or forgotten, certain routes are paved with legends. This series explores itineraries that have made history across five continents—some roads and rivers that separated countries, and others that formed links, creating pathways …