Hiking trip through the Austerlitz battlefield
A proper hike through the places where Napoleon reshaped the power distribution in Europe
Head to the sites associated with the famous battle of the Three Emperors. Stand beneath the balcony of the Castle of Slavkov and imagine what the surviving French soldiers felt when Napoleon spoke to them from up there after the victorious battle... For coffee, head to the Cairn of Peace Memorial dedicated not to the victors but to all the victims of the bloody conflict without distinction. Over a cup of cappuccino, you can contemplate the futility of wars and then stop by for an extraordinary multimedia exhibition that will explain in full what Napoleon's victory meant for the whole Europe.
Brief information
First by train, then on foot
Take the train (from the main train station in Brno) to Slavkov u Brna. Before you embark on the trail of the famous Battle of the Three Emperors, take a breath of France's scent in the local Baroque castle's beautiful, freely accessible gardens.
See the castle balcony. It was from here that Napoleon spoke to his soldiers after the victorious battle. The night BEFORE the battle, the Austrian Emperor Francis I and the Russian Tsar Alexander I had a ball here and did not doubt the advantage of their numerical superiority.
The tour of the magnificent historic halls has a version for children. We definitely recommend a stroll through the beautiful park with its newly restored statues. Do you have kids with you and want it more action-packed? Download a playing card and play a game of Stories Carved in Stone in the gardens.
From Slavkov following the green trail
From the castle, the green trail leads to Křenovice. It is here that they have a statue of the Russian commander Marshal Kutuzov. (Kutuzov was commander-in-chief of the allied Austrian-Russian armies.) The trail continues uphill to Krchůvek and Bojiště memorial sites. These are the final resting places of hundreds of fallen soldiers... And then past the Monument of the Three Emperors to Pratecký hill. In memory of the Battle of the Three Emperors, the Cairn of Peace Memorial was built here.
The unique Cairn of Peace Memorial
In a European context, a unique war memorial in the middle of the Austerlitz battlefield with a message of peace. It was built neither for the heroic victors nor for the brave losers. It embodies remembrance for all the lives lost in the war. It stands on the battlefield as a memento of the wars and in honour of all those who died in Napoleon's victorious Battle of Austerlitz in 1805. Visit not only the local café, but also the multimedia exhibition "The Battle of the Three Emperors of Austerlitz / Austerlitz 1805" - Don't be afraid of a boring parade of dates, instead an extraordinary experience awaits you! You will understand how the borders of the states of the time changed and how the power relations of the whole of Europe changed after this conflict.
And where to hop on the earliest train home? Take the yellow trail down to Hostěrádky-Rešov station.
Something (not only) for children
IIn the elegant garden of the Slavkov castle, play a fun game called Stories Carved in Stone. It's not about Napoleon, but giants also appear in it... the ancient gods themselves. You can get the playing card and information about the game at the tourist information centre in the castle or download it here on our website.
Gastro tips along the way
Café at the Cairn of Peace Memorial, Golfhotel Austerlitz, Slavkov Brewery, pastry shop and café U tří císařů in Slavkov.
Guided tour of the Slavkov battlefield
Don't feel like reading Wikipedia, but would you like to learn everything there is to know about Napoleon's cavalry? A unique sightseeing tour and a guide will take you across the battlefield to Slavkov Castle. During the expert commentary, you will learn how the Battle of the Three Emperors went on in December 1805 and why it made Napoleon Bonaparte forever a part of European history. Bookings at rezervace@zamek-slavkov.cz, info at www.zamek-slavkov.cz.
