Slavkov u Brna
Encyclopedia
Slavkov u Brna (ˈslafkof ˈu br̩na, i.e. Slavkov by Brno; historically known as 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 several kilometres 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 defeat of the Order in the battle of Grünwald, 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.
Much in the same way that in London
, the English have named Waterloo station
to commemorate the Waterloo victory, the French gave the name of Austerlitz to one of the major Parisian train stations, the Gare d'Austerlitz
. There is also a Quai d'Austerlitz in the XIIIth arrondissement
of Paris
. In the Netherlands a small village was founded in commemoration of the battle, see: Austerlitz (Netherlands)
.
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
in the South Moravian Region
South Moravian Region
South Moravian Region is an administrative unit of the Czech Republic, located in the south-western part of its historical region of Moravia, with exception of Jobova Lhota, that belongs to Bohemia. Its capital is Brno the 2nd largest city of the Czech Republic. The region is famous for its wine...
of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. Population: 5,900. The town is widely known for giving its name to the Battle of Austerlitz
Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz, also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, where the French Empire effectively crushed the Third Coalition...
which actually took place several kilometres 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 defeat of the Order in the battle of Grünwald, 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 Slavkov Castle (Austerlitz) has 115 rooms and an impressive garden in the French style. The Palace was designed by Italian architect Domenico MartinelliDomenico MartinelliDomenico Martinelli was an Italian architect who worked for Carlo Fontana during 1678. He was an evident figure in the shaping of Baroque style in the North Alps. In 2010 a musical tribute called "Project Martinelli" was performed to him in Munich.-Biography:He was born in Lucca, Tuscany and...
. In its historic salon, an armistice was signed between Austria and France after the battle of Austerlitz on 2 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 mansion. Parts of the old town wall can also be seen.
- Church of the Resurrection of the Lord (on the south side of the main square). The classicist building with three pulpits was designed from 1786-1789 by the Viennese architect Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg.
- Church of St. John the Baptist (in the cemetery). Beneath the church is a vault which contains the tombs of the Kaunitz family.
- 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 several 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 28 November 1805 the French cavalry general MuratJoachim MuratJoachim-Napoléon Murat , Marshal of France and Grand Admiral or Admiral of France, 1st Prince Murat, was Grand Duke of Berg from 1806 to 1808 and then King of Naples from 1808 to 1815...
set up his headquarters here. On the day of battle, the Russian general BagrationBagrationBagration may refer to* Bagrationi dynasty* Prince Pyotr Bagration , a Russian general in the Napoleonic Wars* The Bagrationi, a royal family of Georgia, from whom the Prince was descended...
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 reenactmentHistorical reenactmentHistorical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
s 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.
Much in the same way that in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the English have named Waterloo station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
to commemorate the Waterloo victory, the French gave the name of Austerlitz to one of the major Parisian train stations, the Gare d'Austerlitz
Gare d'Austerlitz
Paris Austerlitz is one of the six large terminus railway stations in Paris. It is situated on the left bank of the Seine in the southeastern part of the city, in the XIIIe arrondissement...
. There is also a Quai d'Austerlitz in the XIIIth arrondissement
Arrondissement
Arrondissement is any of various administrative divisions of France, certain other Francophone countries, and the Netherlands.-France:The 101 French departments are divided into 342 arrondissements, which may be translated into English as districts. The capital of an arrondissement is called a...
of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. In the Netherlands a small village was founded in commemoration of the battle, see: Austerlitz (Netherlands)
Austerlitz (Netherlands)
Austerlitz is a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Zeist, and lies about 6 km east of Zeist.In 2001, the town of Austerlitz had 1254 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.23 km², and contained 481 residences...
.
See also
- Battle of AusterlitzBattle of AusterlitzThe Battle of Austerlitz, also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, where the French Empire effectively crushed the Third Coalition...
- Napoléon Bonaparte
- Historically significant monument of the Battle of Austerlitz - Stara Posta
- Distinguish Austerlitz from Auschwitz
People
- Austerlitz (family)Austerlitz (family)Austerlitz is the name of a Jewish family. As is the case with all names derived from places, the surname "Austerlitz" does not necessarily signify that all the persons so named belong to one family. It denotes that an ancestor of the person came from that place or was for some time a resident...
- František KoláčekFrantišek KolácekFrantišek Koláček was Czech physicist.Koláček studied at German gymnasium in Brno , then at technical universities in Prague and Vienna. At the Charles University in Prague, under guidance of Ernst Mach, he obtained doctoral decree in 1877...
, Czech physicist - Peregrin ObdržálekPeregrin ObdržálekPeregrin Obdržálek – 29 May 1891, Břest near Kroměříž ) was a Catholic priest, author of religious literature, satire, and humorous tales and verses....
, a Catholic priest, founder of libraries, mutual savings banks and farm associations, also an author of religious literature, satire, humorous tales and poems