An exhibition commemorating the memorable battle of the Three Emperors will return to the chateau in Slavkov u Brna. It will use artificial intelligence and other effects to bring visitors closer to the beginning of the 19th century. The new exposition aims to increase the attractiveness of Slavkov Chateau for visitors and to create an educational place “school through play”. An important historical event will come to life in the recently renovated premises of the original stables, which are part of a national cultural monument. Slavkov – Austerlitz Chateau plans to open on its 220th anniversary, in December 2025.
he Battle of the Three Emperors had a major impact on the history of Europe and Moravia itself. It was one of the most famous victories of the French commander Napoleon during his campaign across the European continent. As a result, the Holy Roman Empire, which had existed for several centuries, collapsed, and Napoleon himself consolidated his position in Central Europe in the following years. However, after the famous clash between the French, Austrian and Russian armies, Moravia felt the misery of the inhabitants of the devastated territories, which were plundered mainly by the soldiers of the victorious side. In addition, a typhus epidemic swept through the region.
Either way, it is still a famous episode in the history of Slavkov u Brna and its surroundings. History enthusiasts also commemorate it every year by reconstructing the battle. However, a permanent exhibition will also be created at the Slavkov chateau, from whose balcony Napoleon announced the victory to his soldiers and signed the historic armistice.
The interactive exhibition will be located in the southern part of the reconstructed stables and will not only present the events of the Battle of the Three Emperors, but also provide an insight into the life in Slavkov at that time. It will reveal the everyday reality of the soldiers and the suffering of the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. The exhibition will be based on the story of the soldier Vařvoda, a real historical figure. The Austrian soldier came from Heršpice near Slavkov and experienced the Battle of the Three Emperors first-hand on the side of the defeated army. He was severely wounded in the heat of battle and subsequently lived in his native Heršpice house. Soldier Vařvoda guides tourists throughout their visit. An integral part of the exhibition will also be a memento of the moral appeal arising from the military events.
The big attraction of the exhibition will undoubtedly be the use of artificial intelligence, which will allow visitors to ask questions of Napoleon himself. In addition, visitors can enjoy a mock-up of the battlefield explaining the movements of individual troops and Napoleon’s winning tactics. The mock-up will be complemented by special effects with the sounds of firearms, the smell of gunpowder and the fog enveloping the site of the battle. There will also be several valuable exhibits from the time of the battle, such as weapons and orders.
The Napoleonic exhibition at Slavkov Chateau could open at the end of 2025 on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of the famous battle. According to estimates, it will cost almost CZK 43 million to set up. The ITI will cover this amount with CZK 28 million. The project is part of the integrated solution Comprehensive development/restoration of selected sites of cultural heritage with metropolitan overlap, which aims to develop cultural monuments in the Brno Metropolitan Area.
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