In the Belgorod region there is the Prokhorovskoye Pole Museum-Reserve well-known far beyond the borders of our country. In severe 1943, one of the most famous tank battles of the Great Patriotic War took place on this earth.
Battle on the Prokhorovsky field
This field became the bridgehead of the terrible and bloody tank battle. It takes pride of place with the Borodino and Kulikovo battles in its importance. It is not for nothing that they call it the third military field of Russia. A fierce battle that claimed 10 thousand Soviet soldiers in a day is inscribed with blood in our history.
Witnesses of these events that happened on this earth on July 12, 1943 are compared with hell: the sky was not visible from thousands of aircraft, the field turned black from tanks. The earth was shaken by the roar of artillery, explosions of aircraft bombs that pierced the armor of tanks. Ammunition exploded in them. Not only equipment was embraced by fire, but also the entire top layer of the earth, which gradually turned into charred clods. Surviving tankers left their cars and rushed into hand-to-hand combat.
800 Soviet and 700 fascist tanks met in a deadly battle. The hardest tank duel ensued near Prokhorovka. They were a model of skill and courage of the crews of armored vehicles.
Museum Creation
The huge complex "Prokhorovskoye pole" with an exhibition of military equipment, the "Belfry" memorial, monuments to Zhukov, Kutuzov, Dmitry Donskoy is located southwest of the village of Prokhorovka, five kilometers from it.
Today it is a well-maintained quiet place, keeping the soldiers' eternal sleep and a blessed memory of them. In the surrounding villages and villages there are more than two dozen mass graves.
In 1995, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Great Victory, the Prokhorovskoye Pole Museum-Reserve was opened here. It includes a large territory with memorial structures, military equipment, as well as with monuments on the terrible battlefield and in Prokhorovka.
There is also a reconstructed WWII monument on the territory of the complex - the command post of the 5th Tank Guards Army, from where this battle was led. The "Belfry" memorial on the "Prokhorovsky Field" is the heart of the complex. He is erected at the very place where the battle took place. A huge stele, on top of which is a statue of the Victory Goddess, is crowned with a golden dome, under which there is a bell. His ringing can be heard every twenty minutes. The "belfry" on the "Prokhorovsky Field" was consecrated by Alexy II - the Most Holy Patriarch of All Russia - in 1995.
Museum of Military Glory
In 2010, in the center of Prokhorovka, a museum began its work, which was called the Third Military Field of Russia. This is a building equipped with modern museum equipment: sound, video installations, in each room there are information terminals.
The latest equipment is harmoniously integrated into the historic interior. For example, a plasma screen is displayed under an old TV, showing a chronicle of battles. He stands on an old, rickety chest of drawers in the apartment of ordinary Soviet people. This is done so that people who have grown up in the world can feel the atmosphere of that difficult time. Here you can see clothes, letters of soldiers, newspapers, some samples of small arms. The second floor has a good find - a tank simulator that allows you to virtually be inside the battle.
Here you can visit the local history section - get acquainted with the history of the district, its fauna and flora, find out what crafts and crafts developed in these parts. Peaceful exhibits talk about how people lived in this region before the treacherous attack on them.
Monument to Heroes Tankers
In 2010, the Prokhorovskoye Pole Museum-Reserve was replenished with another monument - Taran. Two formidable Soviet cars ram three German tanks. Inside this powerful sculptural group is a small monument to a soldier of Nazi Germany. Not to the Great Victor, but to him, a terrified and confused German who lost his iron armor and realized the horror of his situation.
Church of Peter and Paul
Visiting the Prokhorovskoye Pole Museum-Reserve, one cannot but pay attention to this magnificent building. The memorial church of Peter and Paul was erected in 1995. Often it is called a "candle." And this is no coincidence, she really is very similar to her - light, high, decorated with curls.
Inside the temple are stored marble slabs carved with the names of 7,000 warriors who fell in a fierce battle. This is not a complete list. All the names of the heroes that have been installed to date are running on a huge screen in one of the halls of the museum. According to museum staff, this mournful tape completely scrolls in thirty hours.
Togetherness bell
Near the temple is a symbolic, but at the same time functioning Bell of unity of peoples. At the opening of this monument (2000), the heads of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine called on it from three sides.
Events at the Prokhorovsky Field
This complex of roads and revered by the Russians. Schoolchildren regularly visit him, volunteer organizations conduct a lot of explanatory work. On Victory Day, it is especially solemn when veterans, youth, and government officials come here to pay homage to the memory of our heroes.
According to the established good tradition, a festive program dedicated to the anniversary of the battle takes place on July 12. On this day, guests gather near the belfry. Then, at 10.00, the laying of flowers at the memorial takes place. After that, a rally of memory takes place. Usually, the ensemble of the Black Sea Fleet of Russia takes part in these events. The culmination of the holiday is the performance of the Swifts aerobatic team of Russia.
This year, the Victory Park was opened at the festival, as well as the sculptural compositions “Farewell”, “Halt”, “Offensive”, “Women of War”, “Offensive”, “Soldier Warrior”.
Museum Features
On "Prokhorovsky Field" there is a unique monument to field kitchen, as well as a cafe "Blindazh". Inside it, on the walls, plans and maps are hung, songs of the war years are played, which are so dear to veterans.