Austerlitz Battlefield and the Cairn of Peace Memorial

By Matěj Haumer,

Austerlitz Battlefield and the Cairn of Peace Memorial - Matěj Haumer,
  • Release Date: 2026-04-17
  • Genre: Travel in Europe

Description

Austerlitz: Walk the Battlefield Where Napoleon Redrew the Map of Europe
December 2, 1805. A thick Moravian fog blankets the fields. Napoleon Bonaparte transforms it into his ultimate weapon.
For many, Austerlitz is a distant name, but for the British Empire in 1805, it was a matter of survival. Since 1803, Napoleon had been massing his "Army of England" on the coast, threatening a full-scale invasion of Britain. As the financial powerhouse of the Third Coalition, the United Kingdom poured vast sums into the Russian and Austrian armies to draw Napoleon’s attention away from the English Channel. The clash on these Moravian plains was the diversion that potentially saved the United Kingdom from collapse.
Now, you can experience the "Battle of the Three Emperors" exactly where it happened. This official guide, published by the Museum of the Brno Region—custodians of the Cairn of Peace Memorial —is the most comprehensive companion for exploring this historic landscape.

What’s Inside?
🎧 Immersive Audio Commentary: No need to stay glued to a screen. Simply listen as the history of each location unfolds around you. 🗺️ 21 Key Historic Stops: A curated route through the entire battlefield—from the Cairn of Peace and the fierce fighting at Sokolnice and Telnice to the Slavkov (Austerlitz) Castle, where the armistice was signed. 🚶 🚲 🚗 Your Personal Field App: Designed for modern explorers. Each location includes the distance from the Cairn of Peace and specific routes for hikers, cyclists, or drivers. You choose your pace. 🎨 Dramatic Illustrations by Giuseppe Rava: See the chaos of 1805 through the eyes of one of the world’s leading military history illustrators. 📸 Exclusive Photography: Stunning visuals of hidden spots you might otherwise miss.

Did You Know?
⚔️ The "Lion's Leap": Napoleon intentionally abandoned the strategic Prace Heights to lure the Allies into a trap, only to strike back from the most unexpected direction. 🌫️ The Sun of Austerlitz: A legendary morning mist hid the decisive movement of entire French divisions until it was far too late for the Allies. 🇨🇿 A Local Struggle: Thousands of soldiers from Bohemia and Moravia fought bravely in the Coalition ranks. A dedicated monument stands for their commander, the Czech-born General Jirčík. 🏰 The Aftermath: Napoleon spent the night at the Baroque Slavkov Castle after his victory; four days later, the peace was brokered in its halls. 🗼 Austerlitz in the Heart of Paris: The French victory was so total that the name Austerlitz lives on today in the center of Paris—the Gare d'Austerlitz, the Pont d'Austerlitz, and a grand viaduct all bear its name.

Whether you are a military history buff, a family on a weekend trip, or a cyclist exploring the beautiful South Moravian countryside, this guide will change the way you see the landscape. Forget dry dates and dusty textbooks. The Austerlitz battlefield is an open-air theater where the modern world was born.
Download the guide for free today. The next time you stand on the Prace Heights, you’ll understand exactly how the world changed on that cold December morning.

Published by the Museum of the Brno Region. © 2026. All rights reserved. Text: Matěj Haumer, Ondřej Buček | Illustrations: Giuseppe Rava