1. Choose an area on the map
Sign in and search for a place or city in Germany or Belgium. The imagery sources offered depend on the area visible on your map.
SemiLost
View historical aerial and satellite imagery for free
What did a place look like before? Historical aerial and satellite imagery in SemiLost helps you explore earlier views of buildings and landscapes. The feature is free for every account type.
2. Enable historical imagery
Open the map display settings and enable Historical imagery. Choose aerial or satellite imagery where the relevant source is offered for the region.
3. Select a year or date range
Use the available timeline choices and compare the image with the present-day map. Some choices span several years and do not represent a single capture date.
Understand changes to buildings and landscapes
Earlier images can help you see whether a building was already present, whether a hall was extended or how an area changed. They complement existing place photos and help you collect questions for further research.
Switch between historical imagery and the present-day map to spot differences. Resolution, viewing angle and season can affect how things appear; a visible change does not explain its cause.
Which areas and years are available?
Historical aerial and satellite imagery is free for all accounts. Available regions in Germany and Belgium, years and date ranges depend on the imagery service.
Historical aerial imagery is not guaranteed across all of Germany or for every year at every location. Regional aerial imagery and satellite imagery also differ in resolution and detail. The timeline shows the years or date ranges offered; local gaps can still exist.
An older image does not establish the current condition or access arrangements. Use current information when researching a place as it is today.
Start without VIP
You need to sign in to a SemiLost account. No paid package or special role is required for historical imagery.
Bunker and underground layers, terrain relief and parcel boundaries are VIP extras. Historical imagery is also available with a free account.
Trust signals
No public spot list
SemiLost explains how the map works without exposing sensitive individual locations unnecessarily.
Private team places stay separate
Private team places are meant for the team only and are not published as public place pages.
Report and removal workflow
Report and removal pages give owners, authorities and users a clear review path for sensitive places.
Important safety and legal note
Coordinates and research help with planning and documentation, but they do not replace permission from the owner. SemiLost does not grant access rights or provide tips for bypassing barriers.
Frequently asked questions
Is historical imagery free in SemiLost?
Yes. Historical aerial and satellite imagery is free for all signed-in account types. VIP or Beta access is not required.
Can I view historical aerial imagery everywhere in Germany?
Coverage depends on the service and region. Historical aerial imagery is not available for every area and year. Satellite imagery may have a different resolution and coverage.
Why do some choices show a date range instead of a year?
Some services provide mosaics assembled from multiple capture years. A date range describes that selection rather than a single capture date.
Why are images or years missing at my location?
Not every source covers every place in every year. Check the offered periods and imagery sources. An empty area may be a coverage gap or a temporary service issue.