Lost Moscow in 3D Models: Kitai-Gorod: scale models of the restored city

The exhibition Lost Moscow in 3D Models: Kitai-Gorod has opened at the Museum of Moscow. It features scale models of buildings in the historical Kitai-Gorod district which haven’t survived to this day.

“We all know that most of the buildings of Kitai-Gorod were destroyed in the 1930s. We have a unique opportunity to see what was unfortunately lost long ago,” said Alina Saprykina, director of the Museum of Moscow.

The exposition Lost Moscow is dedicated to Kitai-Gorod, the face of which has been altered significantly in the past centenary. The changes included demolishing the Kitai-Gorod wall, churches, rows of street stalls and the entire Zaryadye District.

Digital models of the lost buildings were recreated based on plans, measurements, photos and schemes found in Moscow museums, archives and libraries. On display will be models created through 3D printing technology and photos with views of the old Kitai-Gorod from Nikolai Naidyonov’s album, which is in the Museum of Moscow collection.

Museum guests will also see a digital reproduction of the Strastnoi Monastery developed by a Lomonosov Moscow State University research team, and a model of the Zaryadye District by mapmaker Alexander Ivanov.

The exhibits include both architectural masterpieces and models of ordinary residential facilities, which altogether give an impression of the district’s infrastructure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The exhibition features lectures, discussions and walking tours. The events will take place at the museum’s main location at 2 Zubovsky Bulvar and its affiliate – the Old English Court.

Admission is free from 26 October through November.