The Austerlitz Re-enactment
Anniversary re-enactment tour
The battle of Austerlitz fought on the 2nd of December 1805 saw Napoleon Bonaparte decisively defeat the combined armies of Russia and Austria bringing the Third Coalition to its knees in front of an astonished Europe. The Austerlitz battlefield itself has changed little from all those years ago and we spend a fascinating weekend exploring the area and intermingling with the numerous participants preparing for the spectacular Austerlitz anniversary battle re-enactment that will be taking place. Austerlitz battlefield highlights will include climbing the Santon, Zuran and Pratzan Heights, standing on the Stare Vinohrady and exploring Sokolnitz to see the remains of the gun emplacements and the huge granary, both so bitterly fought over.
Other highlights of the Napoleonic battlefield tour will include a lunch spent in the Post House where we will take the opportunity to sample the house delicacy, the 'Santon' Cannon Ball; a superb stew served inside a cannon ball shaped loaf. Napoleon devised his strategy here with his marshals some days before the battle and slept here the night after. We will also have dinner in Austerlitz Chateau, where the Emperors Francis II and Alexander I spent the night before the battle of Austerlitz. On our last night of our Napoleonic battlefield tour we will visit one of the local wine cellars that Moravia is well known for and sample numerous local wines whilst being entertained by a lively local folk band.
Depending upon the final schedule of battlefield events we may decide to switch the order of the forecast itinerary.
"It is no dishonour to be defeated by my army".
Napoleon
Day 1.
Fly London – Prague. Drive to Brno and check into our hotel for three nights. Evening talk and dinner.
Day 2.
From the top of the Santon we should have fine views of the Austerlitz re-enactment. Past events have involved thousands of participants and are usually well attended creating an almost carnival atmosphere with hot chocolate and mulled wine in abundance (essential at this time of year!). In Slavkov (the Czech name for Austerlitz) we will see the Allied marching troops being reviewed by their respective emperors and enjoy the traditional winter street fair. We will have time to explore the armies' camps, and who knows, even catch a glimpse of Napoleon himself. After returning to our hotel we drive out to Slavkov chateau for an evening reception. An atmospheric end to the day.
"Roll up that map; it will not be wanted these ten years".
William Pitt the Younger
Day 3.
Having 'seen' the battle yesterday, we now set out to explore the Austerlitz battlefield itself. Starting from Napoleon's command post on the Zuran we gain an orientation of the field of battle. We climb the Santon to discuss the actions on the northern flank before ascending the Pratzen Heights to view the initial Russian attacks. We visit the museum and Chapel of Peace and look out towards the Stare Vinohrady. After lunch at the Post House we will visit the French right flank at Kobelnitz and Tellnitz and follow Soult's counter-attack from Pontowitz. In the evening we visit a local wine cellar where we are entertained with dinner, wine tasting and traditional live Moravian folk music.
Day 4.
We check out of our hotel and drive back to Prague airport and our return flight to the UK.
