20:11, 29 March 2026

Barnaul Residents Can Step Back to 1917 With New Historical App

A designer has launched a mobile app that recreates the city’s pre-revolutionary streets in an interactive digital format

A mobile application offering a virtual walk through Barnaul as it appeared in 1917 has been unveiled in Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia. Users can explore the pre-revolutionary city, walk through streets and alleyways, and even enter buildings that no longer exist, according to the local outlet Vecherniy Barnaul.

Piece by Piece

The project began in 2020, when graphic designer Aleksandr Poshelyuzhin started asking questions after reviewing archival photos of old Barnaul.

“I’m not a historian, so I had to gather information piece by piece. The idea emerged to create an interactive map similar to 2GIS, where clicking on a building would show when it was built, when it was demolished, and what it housed. Key sources included the publication ‘Street Names of Barnaul,’ local historian Aleksey Chelombitko’s guide ‘Through Old Barnaul,’ two historical maps from 1907 and 1912, and the early 20th-century newspaper ‘Zhizn Altaya,’” Poshelyuzhin said.

The concept later evolved into a full virtual journey. The reference point is 1917, when a major fire destroyed much of Barnaul’s historic center. The experience in the Barnaul 1917 (3D) app begins at Freedom Square—formerly known as Cathedral Square—before immersing users in the past.

Voice-Guided Experience

The virtual tour includes a voice assistant. Local users say the commentary from the project’s creator makes exploring the historic city more engaging.

“The fifth version of the app is now available, with a sixth planned for release by summer. We aim to expand the mapped districts as far as available sources allow, add terrain details, include water features and green spaces, populate the streets with pedestrians, and enrich the virtual environment with reference information. Our most ambitious goal is to turn the app into a video game. That would allow users not only to view lost architecture but to interact with the historical environment of early 20th-century Barnaul. We are open to collaboration with researchers, developers, and anyone interested in preserving the city’s heritage,” Poshelyuzhin said.

Earlier reports said that circus performer Askold Zapashny is working on a new production, “People and Mechanisms,” featuring robots on stage.

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