In 1925, in Berlin, a book of an outstanding Russian explorer of Central Asia Petr Kozlov (1863 – 1935 ) entitled «Zur toten Stadt Сhara-Choto» (Towards the Dead City of Khara-Khoto) was published, under the editorship of the eminent German geographer Wilhelm Filchner and with the assistance of two more renowned geographers, Sven Hedin and Leonid Breitfuss.

Petr Kozlov holds a special place in the history of the geographical exploration of Central Asia, recognized by the world’s most prestigious scholarly associations, such as the Royal Geographical Society in London, the Italian Geographical Society, and the Institute of France.

P. Kozlov’s numerous collections donated to Russian academic museums contributed largely to the advancement of many scientific disciplines, including zoology, botany, and geography. Apart from that, Kozlov is known for his outstanding archeological discoveries and excavations (at Khara-Khoto and Noyn-Uul); he also did much to popularize geographic knowledge and generate public interest in the lands he explored (Mongolia, China and Tibet), thus promoting the public perception of travelling as a form of professional occupation in the late 19th – early 20th century.

W. Filchner’s publication project was another major evidence of the recognition of Kozlov’s accomplishments by the international scientific community.

The paper will examine the history of the publication of Kozlov’s famous travelogue in Germany by focusing on the personal motives of the people involved in the project, as well as on the importance of the undertaking for the promotion of the Russian-German scientific cooperation in the early 20th century.