Reverse Time Machine: Medieval Novgorod Comes to Life in Augmented Reality
Russian company Enditech has built an immersive AR experience in Veliky Novgorod that blends storytelling, history, and interaction — no headset needed.
How It Works
Modern guided tours are edging closer to time travel. In Russia, the company Enditech has launched a seven-minute immersive AR experience set in medieval Novgorod. With augmented reality glasses, visitors wander through an ancient marketplace accompanied by the legendary merchant Sadko. They can speak with virtual artisans, forge a sword, mold wax candles, and even test their combat skills — all as part of a quest that complements, rather than replaces, the traditional tour format.
Unlike virtual reality, which constructs fully simulated environments, AR overlays holographic content onto real-world surroundings — keeping the context intact while enhancing the narrative.
“Our goal is to combine history with technology, adding interactive layers to classic excursions,” said Enditech Executive Director Dmitry Trusov. “Tourists can see modified landscapes, engage with objects, observe shipping and trading processes, and even cause a little chaos by smashing medieval stalls — all set during Novgorod’s golden age as a major trade hub.”
The experience was developed in collaboration with students from Novgorod State University — an intentional step toward nurturing local tech talent in immersive media.
Beyond the Middle Ages
AR tourism isn’t new, but Enditech is pushing the envelope. Their platform, TourVerse, currently supports experiences in five Russian cities, including Moscow, Irkutsk, Pskov, and Azov. One of their earliest projects animated ancient creatures at the Azov Paleontological Museum, giving visitors a chance to observe prehistoric life in reconstructed habitats.
What’s next? Sensors that emit warmth near virtual fires, adding a layer of thermal realism to Stone Age hunting camps. It’s the kind of experiential tech also explored by institutions like the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., whose Skin and Bones app animates skeletons in lifelike scenarios.
Other museums are experimenting with narrative AR, too. The Celtic Heritage Museum in Salzburg offers an app called Speaking Celt AR, where a 3D-animated Iron Age guide escorts guests through ancient tales. But these are largely passive experiences — limited to narration. Enditech’s approach adds full interactivity, and with it, the potential to reshape how museums and cities present history.
Is It Tourism or Education?
Enditech’s model bridges history and innovation, offering both cultural enrichment and economic opportunity. Its medieval tour in Veliky Novgorod has already elevated the city’s appeal as a tourist and learning destination.
With local government and business support, new AR routes could be rolled out nationwide. The experience is especially well-suited for educational integration — far more engaging for students than standard museum tours.
The next frontier for Russia’s AR sector may be global. TourVerse is designed to scale, with potential applications in heritage cities and institutions worldwide. And for potential partners wondering how it feels? The best way to find out is to stand inside the Novgorod Kremlin and take the tour for yourself.
Expert Opinion
Dmitry Trusov, Executive Director of Enditech: “The virtual segment, which lasts around five minutes, can be embedded in existing or new tour formats. We’re open to partnerships. We’ve already developed AR tours for Pskov, where historical scenarios have been live since last year. We’ve also delivered virtual modules for the Azov Museum Reserve and are collaborating with Salekhard.”
“These solutions open up new dimensions in the way tours are offered: beyond just accessing contextual data, users can witness recreated historic events and characters, immerse themselves in lost worlds, and come away with a genuinely unique experience.”
