Retromap: old city maps
An archive of old city maps of Russia and beyond, georeferenced to the modern map. Open two maps from different eras side by side and compare the same spot.
What it is
Retromap is an archive of old maps of cities in Russia and elsewhere, each georeferenced to present-day geography. That means any vintage plan can be opened in sync with a modern map: pan one and the other follows, so you can see where a toll gate stood, where a vanished street once ran, and what was there before the housing estate.
You can search maps by place: pick a point and the tool finds every map of that area, starting with the most detailed. You can compare any two maps, overlay layers, check a "What's there?" panel for the selected spot, and browse maps by city or group. Popular items include the 1804 hundred-sheet map of the Russian Empire, the 1852 Khotev plan of Moscow, the Schubert map of the Moscow region, and an 1862 plan for the city of Chita. A forum around the site is where map enthusiasts ask and answer questions.
Why we picked it
Old maps are beautiful on their own, but they come alive next to a modern one. Suddenly the straight road you commute on turns out to be an old track between villages, and the park turns out to be a former pond. Retromap does it in the browser with no GIS software. Moscow and its region have the richest coverage, with other Russian and foreign cities too. The whole interface is in Russian, but maps are visual and the side-by-side view works without reading much.
Where to start
- Open the 1852 Khotev plan of Moscow and compare it with today's map.
- Use "Choose maps by place" and click on an area you know.
- Try comparing two maps of the same city from different decades.
- Browse the map archive to see which cities and eras are covered.
- Ask questions about a specific map on the forum.
Who it's for
Local historians, genealogists, urban walkers, writers, and anyone curious why streets run the way they do.
Quick answers
Do I need an account? No, browsing the maps is open.
Is it only Moscow? No, there are maps of other Russian and foreign cities, though Moscow has the most.
Can I order a map? Yes, the site offers scans and georeferencing on request.
