Anniversary Eve Of Slavkov Battle

The train, composed from waggons of different past times, left Bratislava Central Station shortly after 12 o´clock. Dining-car did not miss, of course, the neighbouring one was with kiosk in social arrangement, but, no doubt, much attention captivated historiccal saloon waggons, with reference to its inscriptions, obviously of Hungarian and Italian origin. I do not know which weather dominated in Moravia 205 years ago. This time, we were surprised with hard snowing, which meant that serious calamity was coming. So, we arrived to our target with delay, after dusk. Our drive passed Brno up to Křenovice - upper station, distant a couple of kilometers from the town of Slavkov only.

Just in Křenovice, some military units were settled, dressed in times uniforms, in order to remind the anniversary of famous battle directly in area, where the encounter was effected. According to preserved documents, main post of Austrian-Russian troops was to be found in this locality. Nevertheless, some of their actual successors waited for participants of this historical train directly at railway station. They showed all presented some demonstrations of military exercise, including duels „man against man“. All this historical „entree“ was finished with repeated field-gun shots.

Subsequently, we visited field-camp in nearby pub, arranged into historical form, where cateresses for soldiers (dressed in time uniforms and cloths) welcome us with hot cup of tea. The mark „canteen woman“ or „cateress“ is, according to some written sources, derived from the name of St. Margaret, martyr. She was seriously tortured but her wounds were healed up the second day. According to the other sources, the mark comes from German word „Marktfrau“, what means saleswomen, supplying military troops with all possible things to survive (French expression „la vivandiere“).

So, small pig was roasted and barbecued above the fire. Moreover, skill  samples of village black-smith and other handicraftsmen did not miss. All such persons looked the soldiers after weapons, carriages, clothing, shoes and other necessities. Our way would lead to „Peace Barrow“, situated on top hill, in the centre of fields, towards a place of former battle-field. However, this way was, owing to big quantity of fresh snow, inaccessible, and so, with regard to delay, the buses went directly towards Slavkov Castle. Here, we made the sightseeong, and afterthat received dinner - goulash in „gun ball“ or in loaf bread.

Slavkov or Austerlitz

The town, covered with snow, welcome us with full winter atmosphere, known from pictures of Josef Lada - heaps of snow everywhere, merry children on sledges, sliding down from small hill below ramparts, and illuminated Christmas tree on a square in front of the castle. And on each step, you coud meet the figures dressed in historical uniforms of French, Russian or Austrian army. Inside the castle, we even met „live Napoleon“. He was ready, irrespective of late hour, to become required photo-object for visitors. All these figures made last details of scenario and instructions (in several languages) for these memory ceremonies for the next day. According to organizers´ information, the next day more than 1200 persons of enthusiasts for military history would be expected, and not only from the countries, the nations of which fought in memorable Austerlitz Battle. This is a note for those, who had forgotten the history from school attendance, had not followed some of films, describing such event and time period, or did not read famous novel „The War and Peace“, the work of Lev Tolstoy.

So, „Three Emperors´ Battle“ was en encounter of Napoleon´s „Grand Armee“ (it conquested Vienna short time before), against troops of Frank II., Austrian Emperor, supported by units of Alexander I., Russian Tzar, led by legendary commander Mikhail Ilarianowitch Kutuzow. This battle, which entered into history also as a model of military strategic art, Napoleon himself signed as „Austerlitz“ (according to Slavkov Castle, noted in Austrian maps at that time). Before the battle was effected, two allied Emperors visited the castle, and when the battle was over, Napolean was accommodated there (anyway, not in white bed, dedicated for Prince, - this artefact belongs to sightseeing attraction - but he slept on field bed, of course). Later, on 6th December 1805, i.e. four days after a battle, the the authorized persons of French and Austrian Emperors signed a truce there.

So, the name Austerlitz entered not only into history books but also into street names or one of  railway station in Paris. (Gare d´Austerlitz). The victory of French troops at Slavkov was confirmed finally, when so called Pressburg Peace was concluded. It happened on 26th December 1805 in Bratislava. Now, stone plate, situated  on front facade of Primacial Palace, reminds such event. However, this document meant for Habsburg Monarchy (except financial loos) also loss of several territories (Venice, Istria and Dalmatia were shared to Italian Kingdom). During Slavkov Battle, Napolean lost approx. 7000 members of 67 0000 members of his army, whereas more numerous Austria-Russian military troops lost 27000 soldiers. These sad numbers are reminded in „Peace Barrow“, by the way, one from the first „peaceful monuments“ of the world, remarkable also with its architecture (Josef Fanta). But, would you choose better weather as it would be at the beginning of December, as we did it.

Text/photo: Jiří Výborný

Translation. ing. Jan Jonáš