In 2012, Russia celebrated a jubilee date - the bicentennial of the victory over the Napoleonic army. The celebration was timed to coincide with the opening of a specially constructed two-story pavilion in the capital, which housed the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 . The idea of creating such a memorial appeared in the 19th century, but for many years various circumstances hindered its implementation, and now, finally, Russia received a museum worthy of the memory of those legendary events.
Burnt memorial
After the village of Fili went down in the history of Russia as the place where M.I. Kutuzov made the only right decision at the time to surrender Moscow, in the hut, where officers gathered, for more than half a century carefully kept genuine things related to this important event.
In 1868, the owner of the land on which the “Kutuzov hut”, a well-known Moscow philanthropist E. D. Naryshkin, decided to donate it to the city to create a memorial complex in it , but, unfortunately, these plans were not destined to be realized: in the same year, the historic hut burned down.
Initiatives from the people
After twenty years, in 1888, Orthodox activists in Moscow came up with a patriotic initiative. With the funds of the Union of the Banners carrying them together, created at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, they built an exact copy of the historical Kutuzov hut, the project of which was developed by architect ND Strukov. It was, in fact, the first museum of the Patriotic War of 1812, which lasted until 1929.
Undoubtedly, the feeling of patriotism and gratitude to those who defended their land from enemies with weapons in their hands at all times was inherent in all times. This was clearly manifested in the decision of the Borodino railway station workers, who in 1903 created an exposition in the station’s premises telling about the events of the war with Napoleon.
Highest decree
This museum, already the second by that time the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812, opened on a voluntary basis, prompted Emperor Nicholas II to issue the highest decree on the creation of a state memorial in memory of the event, the centenary of which was soon to be celebrated. It is understandable that this initiative had the most ardent approval in all walks of life.
The head of the committee, which was entrusted with the creation of the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow, was entrusted to Colonel of the General Staff Vladimir Aleksandrovich Afanasyev. This choice was not accidental - being a great connoisseur of history and a true patriot of Russia, Vladimir Alexandrovich personally collected a huge amount of materials that contributed to the study of the events of those memorable years. He began his work as the head of the committee with the publication of a brochure on the issue of choosing a place for the future museum.
Centenary celebration
Three years before the significant anniversary, a small museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 was created in the Fun Palace, an annex located near the western wall of the Kremlin. This event received the most lively response in Moscow, and it was always crowded on Palace Street, where the exposition was located.
By the beginning of the main celebrations held in 1912, the main exhibition began to work in the premises of the Imperial Historical Museum, which became the result of the work of the committee headed by V. A. Afanasyev. Her expositions were placed in nine rooms, each of which had its own thematic area.
In addition, visitors to the exhibition were presented specially brought from St. Petersburg paintings of Vasily Vereshchagin, which made up the series “1812” and were stored in the collection of the Russian Museum. The exhibits donated to the museum from the vaults of the collector and philanthropist A. A. Bakhrushin were also of great interest. It was on the basis of this anniversary exhibition that it was planned to later create the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow.
Circumstances that violated all plans
The imperialist war put an end to further work on the creation of the museum, and the October Revolution that followed it completely postponed the implementation of the project for an indefinite period. V.A. Afanasyev, who had been awarded the title of Major General by that time, voluntarily sided with the Bolsheviks, but in the thirties fell under another Stalinist “purge” and was arrested on charges of involvement in one of the anti-Soviet organizations. Fortunately, the exhibits presented at the 1912 exhibition did not disappear, but were stored in the storerooms of the Historical Museum.
Two centuries after Borodino
Years passed, the next anniversary of the expulsion of Napoleonic invaders from the territory of Russia approached. This time it was to celebrate the bicentennial of such a significant event. Two years before the anniversary, the construction of a special exhibition pavilion began to accommodate exhibits from the storerooms of the Historical Museum, the basis of which was materials collected back in 1912. Four hundred forty million rubles were allocated from the state budget for this purpose.
All work carried out under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture was completed in 2012, and by the time the celebrations began, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 (address: 2/3 Revolution Square, Moscow) was opened. This event took place on September 4, and two days later its halls received the first visitors.
Large-scale and substantial exposure
The expositions of the newly created museum are very extensive. They consist of two thousand rarities, including weapons of those years, uniforms, rare documents, as well as paintings depicting heroic paintings of legendary events. Visitors find a lively response and materials depicting the appearance of the two main historical figures of that era, two emperors - Russian and French.
From now on, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 also occupied a worthy place among the exhibition complexes of the capital. Reviews of his work speak for themselves. Hundreds of people visiting the exhibition want to share their impressions with those who are just going to visit it. Their opinion is especially interesting and valuable precisely because it is open-minded: people openly express their opinion.
The most memorable exhibits
As can be seen from the numerous entries left by visitors to the exhibition, the fragment of the mural presented at the beginning of the exhibition is very impressive. This is a fresco that miraculously survived after the main church of Moscow, built in gratitude to the Savior, who saved Russia from Napoleonic hordes, was destroyed in December 1931. Its author - the famous Russian painter of the late XIX century, Henryk Semiradsky - depicted a very spectacular allegorical scene, giving it the significance of the symbol of the invincibility of Russian weapons.
Among the reviews, there is a special interest in another unique exhibit presented at the exhibition. This is a genuine sword that once belonged to Napoleon and presented to Count Shuvalov as a token of gratitude for saving him from an angry crowd while following to the place of exile to the island of Elba.
The work of the integrated multimedia system integrated into the exposition makes it possible to illustrate the material presented on it by demonstrating videos and playing animated battle maps.
Museum Invitation
It will be interesting and useful for everyone who cares about the history of our Motherland to visit the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812. Opening hours: Friday and Saturday - from 10:00 to 21:00, and on other days of the week - from 10:00 to 18:00. It is envisaged as an individual examination of the exposition, and the organization of excursions. The Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow, the address of which is indicated above, occupies a two-story pavilion located between the Moscow City Council and the premises of the Old Mint.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance that this museum has for educating Russian citizens, and especially young people, of their feelings of love for their homeland and patriotism. It is no coincidence that so much attention has been paid to the creation of the memorial over the entire period that has passed since the old days when the last Napoleonic soldier left Russia.