Capture a place. Understand what you're looking at.

WhyHere is an app that turns a photo into useful, contextual information. It can explain the history of a place and help you understand what you're seeing: a building, a monument, a business, or a point of interest. You take the shot; WhyHere gives you context, practical details, and helpful links.

iOS Android

In a single tap

  • Buildings, places, and architecture
  • Monuments, art, and historical details
  • Businesses and points of interest
  • Urban spaces and local context

What you can photograph

WhyHere is designed for anything tied to a real place. It can tell the story of a monument, explain why a building is there, or provide practical information about businesses, services, and points of interest. Every answer is tailored to what you're observing.

Real-world architecture

Buildings and unusual forms

  • brutalist buildings
  • standalone buildings
  • historic warehouses
  • distinctive public housing
Urban objects

Out of place, but important

  • small statues
  • plaques and crosses
  • fountains and old tracks
  • towers, silos, smokestacks
Empty spaces

Places with nothing

  • squares with no markers
  • open lots and urban fields
  • huge parking lots
  • areas awaiting change
Museums

Works and artifacts

  • exhibited works
  • artifacts and installations
  • permanent collections
  • contextual stories
Signs of the past

Details that speak

  • old plaques
  • dates on walls
  • coats of arms and inscriptions
  • industrial symbols
Infrastructure

Engineering choices

  • bridges and overpasses
  • dams and disused railways
  • tram lines
  • connections between neighborhoods

Questions it unlocks

What place is this? What's here and what is it for? Why is this place important or useful?

How it works

A few steps, zero distractions. The app does the work; you enjoy the discovery.

Capture Open the camera, frame what interests you, and let WhyHere analyze the place and context.
Read Receive a concise card with history, context, sources, and fun facts.
Explore Save explored places for future reference.

Available on iOS and Android

Join the waitlist to get early access and special content.

iOS Android