Slavkov u Brna
Slavkov u Brna (in German: Austerlitz) is a country town east of Brno in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. Population: 5,900. The town is widely known for giving its name to the Battle of Austerlitz which actually took place some kilometers to the west of the town.
At the beginning of the 13th century, the Teutonic Order built a monastery stronghold whose remains can still be seen today in the vaults of the Austerlitz Palace. The first written testimony about the place date from 1237. The Czech name Slavkov is first documented in 1361, the German name Austerlitz in 1633 and is said to be a truncation of the Czech Novosedlice (Novosedlicz, Nausedlicz), which means "new settlement", although this cannot be clarified definitively. After the dissolution of the Order, the town became the property of a number of noble owners until, in 1509, the local gentry family of Kaunitz assumed control for more than 400 years.
Sightseeing
- Baroque Austerlitz Castle has 115 rooms and an impressive garden in the French style. The Palace was designed by Italian architect Domenico Martinelli. In its Historic Saloon, an armistice was signed between Austria and France after the battle of Austerlitz on 2nd December 1805. There is a small historic museum (only in Czech) and a multimedia presentation about the battle.
- On the main square, is a late Renaissance Town Hall and a Renaissance Stately Mansion. Parts of the old town wall can also be seen.
- Church of the Ressurrection of the Lord (on the south side of the main square). The classicist building with three pulpits inside has been designed during 1786-1789 by the Viennese architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg.
- St. Johannes-der-Täufer-Kirche (auf dem Friedhofgelände). Die Kirche beherbergt die Familiengruft von Kaunitz.
- Chapel of St. Urbanus (to the north on the Urbanus hill). The chapel of 1712 was badly damaged during the battle of Austerlitz and had to be rebuilt during 1858-1861.
- Jewish Heritage. Only the synagogue (built in 1858) remains from the Jewish ghetto. There is also a Jewish cemetery a little bit outside the town.
Monuments and Sights about the battle of Austerlitz
The battle of Austerlitz actually took place some kilometers to the west of Austerlitz. Public transport to the sights is limited, as the landscape has preserved its bucolic aspects. Agriculture still dominates the hilly terrain which has not changed much (apart from the sprawl of the villages). Unfortunately, a highway bisects the battlefield.
- The Old Post (stará pošta) in Kovalovice is an original period building dating from 1785, which now serves as a hotel and restaurant. On 28th November 1805 the French cavalry general Murat set up his headquarters here. On the day of battle, the Russian general Bagration had his headquarters here. After the battle, Napoleon slept in this house and held preliminary negotiations about an armistice. A small museum is dedicated to commemorate these events.
- On Santon hill to east of Tvarožná village is a small white chapel. The hill was a mainstay of the French position and allowed the French artillery to dominate the northern portion of the battlefield. Below the hill, the yearly historical reenactments take place.
- On Žuráň hill Napoleon Bonaparte had his headquarters. A granite monuments depicts the battlefield positions.
- In Šlapanice village a number of mass graves with a monument can be seen.
- The Peace Memorial (mohyla míru) on Prace hill. The memorial near Prace village has been designed and built by Josef Fanta during 1910–1912. The First World War postponed its inauguration until 1923. It is 26 m high, square, with four female statues symbolizing France, Austria, Russia and Moravia. Within is a chapel with an ossuary. A small museum commemorates the battle.
- Near Křenovice village stands a weathered peace cross.
- The Old Vineyards (staré vinohrady) near Blažovice saw the bloody collision of the French and Russian guards. Today, a new Monument to the Three Emperors has been erected there.
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Santon Hill (with visitors during the 200th anniversary) -
The Peace Memorial -
The cupola of the Peace Memorial -
Interior of the Peace Memorial with wreaths commemorating the 200th anniversary -
Monument to the Three Emperors at the Old Vineyards -
Austerlitz Palace seen from the park at dusk
The French named after the town to commemorate their victory in Paris station Gare d'Austerlitz, a Quai d'Austerlitz as well as a battleship.
The name 'Austerlitz' should not be confused with Auschwitz (a German concentration camp in Poland).
People
- František Koláček, Czech physicist
- Peregrin Obdržálek, a Catholic priest, founder of libraries, mutual savings banks and farm associations, also an author of religious literature, satire, humorous tales and poems