Published on: 2026-08-31
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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You can now immerse yourself in the history of the capital and see architectural landmarks of past eras in the web version portal “Discover Moscow Users do not need to download a mobile app — it is enough to open the portal page in the browser of any smartphone and admire the historical buildings, which have not survived to our days, recreated in augmented reality.
“The augmented reality technology applied in the web version of the portal allows you to fully explore buildings that have not survived to this day or have been relocated, see their three-dimensional models, study the architecture in detail, and integrate the objects into your surrounding environment. Among the recreated objects are the old Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge, Strastnoy Monastery and its bell tower, the Vladimir (Nikolskiye, Sretensky) gates, the Khanzhonkov House, the old Crimean Bridge, the Ilyinsky and Varvarsky (Vsekhsvyatsky) gates of the Kitay-Gorod wall, the Alekseyevskaya (Semiverkhaya) tower of the White City, and other objects. Now you can embark on a real journey through time. Just go to the web version of the “Know Moscow” portal and select an object with augmented reality support,” noted the press service of the capital
To see all the reconstructed objects, simply go to the special collection on portal.
Muscovites and visitors to the capital can see in the web version of the portal a recreation in augmented reality Passion Monastery, which defined the appearance of the square near the Tverskiye Gates of the White City for almost three centuries. Founded for the veneration of the Passion Icon of the Mother of God, the monastery was connected with the Romanov dynasty, the history of Tverskaya Street, and the church life of Moscow. The monastery is commemorated by Strastnoy Boulevard, a memorial sign, and preserved relics.
The current Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge appeared in the 20th century during the large-scale reconstruction of Moscow in the 1930s. Its predecessors were ferries, which for several centuries connected the banks of the Moskva River near the Kremlin and determined the development of the adjacent part of the city. Their history began with a ford on the Volotskaya road, continued with a wooden ‘living’ bridge, and led to the appearance of the first large stone crossing over the Moskva River. Shops, towers, a mill, and a triumphal arch turned it into an independent street.
Vladimir (Nikolsky, Sretensky) Gates served as one of the main passages of the Kitay-Gorod wall and led to Nikolskaya Street. The tower participated in the defense of Moscow during the Time of Troubles. Later it received a tented roof, and nearby appeared the Vladimir Church and the Panteleimon Chapel. The appearance of the reconstructed ensemble of the Vladimir Gates can be seen in augmented reality by clicking the “View in AR” button.
Monument to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was opened on June 6, 1880, at the beginning of Tverskoy Boulevard, opposite the Passion Monastery. In 1950, the monument was relocated to the other side Tverskaya Street, and the model of the monument at its historical site can also be seen in augmented reality.
The bell tower of the Passion Monastery For more than 80 years, it shaped the appearance of Passion Square. Built in the mid-19th century above the Holy Gates, it included the Church of Alexius, the Man of God, a clock, and a belfry.
Khanzhonkov’s House appeared on Triumphal Square in 1913 as the electric theater “Pegas” — the personal venue of one of the founders of Russian filmmaking. Screenings of silent films were accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The original appearance of the cinema can be seen in augmented reality on the web version of the “Discover Moscow” portal.
Place of the modern Crimean Bridge has long been used to cross the Moskva River. Before that, there was a ford here, a toll ferry, a floating crossing, a wooden bridge on piles, and an intricate metal structure with pseudo-Gothic towers. The bridge of 1873 was later moved downstream.
Ilyinsky Gate they marked the entry to Ilyinka — the main business street of old Moscow. It got its name from the Ilyinsky Monastery, which was located closer to the Kremlin, inside Kitay-gorod. Near the gates was the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker “Bolshoy Krest”. The tented tower, the chapel of Sergius of Radonezh, markets, and the largest stable for horse-drawn police carriages for several centuries shaped the life of this city hub.
Barbarian Gates The entry into Kitay-gorod from Varvarka Street was marked. They entered the second ring of defensive structures of medieval Moscow — the Kitaygorod wall, the construction of which began during the regency of Elena Glinskaya, mother of the young Grand Duke Ivan IV. The tower, protruding forward with a turning gateway, underground
Alekseevskaya, or Semiverkhaya, Tower It stood at the Crimean Ford on the most dangerous section of the White City’s wall. It was the most powerful structure of the wall — a fortified ring surrounding the Moscow settlement outside the Kremlin and Kitay-gorod. Five tiers, artillery loopholes, and seven turrets made it the main defensive structure of Moscow’s southern border.
In the web version of the “Discover Moscow” portal, you can also see historical objects of the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve recreated in augmented reality: Grand Cross and Kamer-Yunfarsky cases, cruciform and hexagonal houses. In addition, you can find out what could have been the appearance of an unbuilt the eighth Stalin skyscraper, as well as lost historical structures: Red Gates and Sukharev Tower, palaces of the Russian emperors at the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve.
“Discover Moscow” – a joint project of the capital’s departments of information technology, cultures, cultural heritage, education and science. The portal features over 335 walking routes across various districts of the city. The interactive guide includes photographs and descriptions of nearly 2,400 buildings, more than 705 monuments, 410 museums, 525 historical sites, and 455 famous individuals whose lives were connected to the city.
The creation, development, and operation of e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services and offerings in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration.” More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
A large-scale project appeared on the mos.ru portal special project, dedicated to the development of key areas of Moscow. These include transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed over recent years, what initiatives aimed at making citizens’ lives even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its residents in the near future.
On the project page “Culture, Heritage and Leisure Industry” you can learn about how architectural monuments are preserved in the capital. Moscow is the cultural center of the country and holds one of the leading positions among megacities in terms of the number of museums and exhibition halls. A film cluster has been established in the city, combining the MosKino film factory on Ryazansky Avenue, the Gorky Film Studio, and the MosKino film park.
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