Anniversary of the Battle of the Three Emperors (Austerlitz)
Slavkov u Brna will go back more than 220 years on the last weekend of November. It will commemorate one of the most significant European battles. The festival will welcome 1,500 reenactors from 15 countries, over 100 horses, and 20 cannons. Visitors can expect an expansive spectacle with full-scale battle reconstructions, historical parades, and a free admission weekend (tribune seats sold separately).
The battle took place on December 2nd, 1805, and using ingenious tactics the French emperor was able to defeat a much greater force in a more strategic position. One of the most attractive points of the program is a battle reenactment near the village of Tvarožná with nine hundred soldiers in period uniforms. There will be an evening parade with fireworks in Slavkov, with a final act of piety taking place at the Peace Monument. The commemorative event will include military camps, concerts, and an advent crafts fair on Slavkov Square and in the courtyard of the château. Guests can also enjoy costumed tours of Slavkov Château by Napoleon himself.
The commemorations are not a celebration of Napoleon or his victory, and certainly not a celebration of the war or the battle. The international political and war events that profoundly affected Europe in their time have become a means of meeting and a common interest for many people from many countries of the world. The aim of the events is to commemorate and promote knowledge of a common European history.
