Peter the Great in the Russian North Comes to Life in a Virtual Exhibit From Solovki
Participants in the Solovetskaya shkola molodykh uchenykh Okoem (Solovki Young Scientists School “Okoem”) conducted a digital panoramic survey of the interior of a historic chapel on the Solovetskiye ostrova (Solovetsky Islands). The material became the basis for a virtual exhibition exploring the era of Peter the Great in Russia’s northern territories.
The Petropavlovskaya chasovnya (Chapel of Saints Peter and Paul) stands on the shore of the Harbor of Prosperity on Bolshoy Solovetskiy ostrov (Bolshoy Solovetsky Island), between Tsarskaya pristan (Tsar’s Pier) and the Sukhy dok (Dry Dock), west of the Pryadilnaya bashnya of the Solovetskaya krepost (Solovetsky fortress). Its history is tied to two visits by Peter the Great to the Solovetsky archipelago.
School on the Archipelago
From August 23 to September 1, 2025, the Solovetskiy arkhipelag hosted the Solovetskaya shkola molodykh uchenykh Okoem. The program gave young researchers hands-on experience in studying and preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Solovki. The educational initiative was organized by the Tsentr molodykh issledovateley Polyus (Center for Young Researchers Polyus) together with Severnyy arkticheskiy federalnyy universitet imeni M. V. Lomonosova (Northern Arctic Federal University named after M. V. Lomonosov) with support from the national project Molodezh i deti (Youth and Children).
One of the program’s key venues was a cultural studies workshop. Participants set out to create a digital version of the exhibition located in the chapel dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. The project develops the idea of researcher and museum specialist Sergey Morozov, who has spent many years studying and preserving the memory of Peter the Great’s presence in the Russian North.
A Chapel on the Harbor of Prosperity
The Petrovskaya chasovnya stands on the shore of the Harbor of Prosperity on Bolshoy Solovetskiy ostrov between Tsarskaya pristan and the Sukhy dok. Its history is tied to two visits by the emperor. In May 1694 the young tsar sailed from Arkhangelsk aboard the yacht Svyatoy Pyotr and was caught in a powerful storm. He narrowly survived after reaching the monastery harbor. In gratitude for his escape, Peter personally erected a commemorative cross.
The second visit took place in August 1702. The ruler stayed at the monastery for five days and then continued toward Nyukhcha, where the famous Osudareva doroga (Osudareva Road – the sovereign’s military road) began. This route carried Russian troops from the White Sea to Lake Onega during the campaign that led to the capture of the Swedish fortress of Noteburg. The first wooden chapel appeared at the end of the eighteenth century near Tsarskaya pristan, where Archimandrite Firs had greeted Peter in 1694. In 1855, under Archimandrite Aleksandr, a stone chapel crowned with a dome and wooden lantern was built on that site.
Digital Immersion in History
Workshop participants conducted panoramic photography of the chapel’s interior, which became the basis of the virtual environment. The team studied archival materials and the exhibition concept developed by Sergey Morozov. They focused on the historical context of the Petrine era in the Russian North – including maritime expeditions, shipbuilding in Arkhangelsk and the development of northern sea routes.
The team designed the structure of the virtual exhibition with thematic sections dedicated to Arkhangelsk and the western regions of the White Sea. They selected the artifacts and visual materials that will appear in digital form. The final concept integrates digital artifacts – documents, maps and photographs – directly into a panoramic visualization of the chapel’s interior.
From Archive to Online Platform
The virtual exhibition will allow users to explore the history of the site and the role of the Russian North in the Petrine era remotely. The project opens the Solovetsky Islands to people who may never travel there in person. It also makes archival and museum materials accessible to researchers, students and anyone interested in history.
The team is now approaching the final stage of development. The next steps include linking digital exhibits to the panoramic imagery and selecting an online platform for public access. The team will also work with cultural institutions to obtain permission to publish digital copies of unique historical documents.
The Solovki research school project Okoem shows how digital tools can help preserve shared cultural and historical heritage.
