'Discover Moscow' App Revives Lost Tsaritsyno Palaces in Augmented Reality

Using AR and 3D tech, Muscovites can now explore historical buildings that vanished centuries ago.

Moscow residents and visitors can now glimpse the lost palaces of the Tsaritsyno estate thanks to the city's 'Discover Moscow' mobile app. The digital collection brings back to life several vanished landmarks, including the Grand Cavalier Corps, the Chamberlain’s Corps, and the distinctive cross-shaped and hexagonal pavilions. All are available as detailed 3D models inside the app.

Augmented reality allows users to zoom in on architectural details and rotate structures in real time. While the objects can be explored from anywhere in the city, developers suggest heading to the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve for a fully immersive experience. On-site navigation signs guide visitors to the original locations of the vanished buildings, where scanning a QR code or tapping 'I am here' in the app reveals the reconstructed structures.