The Borodino field is not only a part of the territory, but also a reminder to everyone of the military glory of the Russian soldiers who defended their homeland not only in the 19th, but also in the 20th century. What does it mean many years after the great victories of our compatriots? The Borodino field, a photo of which simply cannot convey the greatness of this historic place, should be visited by every Russian at least once in his life.
General information
Many young people who are fond of the glorious history of our state are well aware of the Borodino field. Where is the battlefield of the previously invincible French army of Napoleon and the Russian army, even many foreigners know. This is due to the enormous importance of this bloody battle that took place during the Patriotic War of 1812. It largely changed the course of history not only for the Russian Empire, but also for Europe.
Borodino field is a large area, spreading west of the city of Mozhaisk. It is located on the site of a rural settlement. It has the corresponding name - Borodino. This settlement belongs to the Mozhaysky district of the Moscow region. It was built near the village of Borodino. It was this place that was destined to become a monument of glory and the unbending spirit of Russian soldiers.
The Museum-Reserve, the so-called “Borodino Field”, is a memorial of two World War II. He is known in many countries of the world. It is considered the oldest museum created on the battlefields. The territory of the reserve is 110 square meters. km It contains more than 200 memorial sites, obelisks and monuments. Some of the most famous of them are the command posts of Napoleon and M.I. Kutuzov, the memorial complex, and monuments at the places where the Russian troops were.
The glorious history of Russian troops
On the territory of the modern settlement on August 26 (in a new style on September 7), 1812, a battle of enormous significance took place between the French army of Napoleon and the Russian troops. But not only this battle of Borodino is a matter of pride for local residents. In 1941-1942 in this territory was the forefront of the defense of Moscow.
The map of the Borodino field is replete with various signs denoting certain memorials. The main events of the French-Russian battle took place between two old Smolensk roads. The most important military installations were located on this territory:
• Bagrationov (Semenov) flushes;
• Shevardinsky redoubt;
• Raevsky battery.
Battle results
According to historians, 120 thousand Russian soldiers and 135 thousand French participated in the battle of Borodino. The Russians had 624 guns, and their opponents - 587. The battle began with the capture of the Borodino village by the French, where before them there were Russian troops. The main events of the battle began at 5 a.m., on the left flank of the Russian army. In this place, near the Semenovsky ravine, were Bagration's flushes. Many hours of fierce fighting took place here. Flushes many times passed from the hands of the opponents. The land was completely covered with the corpses of soldiers and horses. In this battle, the commander-in-chief of the 2nd Western Army P.I. Bagration was mortally wounded. After that, the French were able to capture the flushes.
Equally brutal was the battle for the Raevsky battery, which was at the center of the Russian position. During the bloody battle, in which thousands of soldiers died on both sides, the Russian soldiers showed their indestructible will to win. Despite the fact that the French were able to capture the fortifications of the Russians in the center and on the left flank, Napoleon flinched at such an enemy’s determination to stand to death and retreated to their original positions.
The battle of Borodino is considered the bloodiest in the history of one-day battles. It killed 45 thousand Russians and about 40 thousand French. Moreover, on both sides there were losses not only soldiers, but also officers. In this battle, 23 Russian and 49 French generals died, which greatly weakened Napoleon’s invincible army.
The significance of the Battle of Borodino
The battle of Borodino is one of the most bloody in the history of the Russian army. It was described with great accuracy in the novel by L. Tolstoy, "War and Peace." The consequence of this battle was the flight of Napoleon. He not only left captured Moscow, but also lost his army of many thousands and France.
Museum foundation
In 1837, the Russian emperor Nicholas I acquired in the name of his son Alexander part of the estate in the village of Borodino. An important step in preserving the memory of the heroes of the Russian army was the discovery on August 26, 1839 of a monument to Russian soldiers, which is located on Raevsky’s battery, and the reburial of the ashes of P. Bagration. Later on, a museum dedicated to one of the greatest battles in Russian history was founded on this territory. Empire. A general inspection of the field can be made from a high mound, which is located behind the village of Gorki. It was on it that on the day of the battle was the observation post of M.I. Kutuzov. According to old legend, at the beginning of the battle, an eagle flew over the commander in chief, predicting the victory of the Russians. It was this bird that was erected on the obelisk located on this mound.
In 1912, on the 100th anniversary of the battle, 33 monuments to various divisions, regiments, corps, companies and batteries were erected at the scene of the battle. All of them are located on mounds of different sizes, on the banks of streams and on the slopes of ravines. Most of the monuments were built on the donations of officers and soldiers who served in military units that inherited the names of the units that fought at Borodino.
Monuments of Borodino
Visitors to the Borodino field have the opportunity to see more than 50 beautiful monuments at once, both to outstanding military commanders and ordinary Russian soldiers. All of them make our ancestors proud, instill a sense of patriotism in every person. The main monuments of the Borodino field:
• Obelisk to Field Marshal M. I. Kutuzov, created by the famous architect Vorontsov-Veliaminov.
• Bagration's flushes.
• The dead French soldiers.
• Raevsky battery.
• Russian soldiers.
• Utitsky Kurgan (Mountain Gardens).
• 7th Infantry Division.
• Nezhinsky Dragoon Regiment.
• Field horse artillery.
• 2 of the Cuirassier Division.
• Volyn regiment.
• The grave of General Bagration.
• Lithuanian regiment.
• Shevardinsky redoubt.
• 3 Infantry Division of General Konovnitsyn P.P.
• “Roubaud's Height”.
• 24 infantry divisions.
• Moscow and Smolensk militias.
• The Finnish Regiment.
• 3 cavalry corps and 1 horse battery.
• 12th Infantry Division.
• 2 Equestrian Battery of the artillery brigade of Captain Raal F.F.
On the highway that connects the village of Borodino with the museum, a T-34 tank stands on a pedestal. This monument is dedicated to the soldiers of the 5th Army, who defended Moscow in 1941. A memorial sign marks the bunker of the Mozhaisk fortified area, built in 1941.
Mass graves
In addition to monuments and obelisks, several mass graves are located on the territory of the reserve, in which the Russian and French soldiers who died in the year of the Borodino battle are buried. Near the monument to Bakhmetev’s division are the burial places of Russian officers who gave their lives in that battle. On the territory of the museum-reserve there is a mass grave of soldiers who died in the Utitsky forest. A memorial sign on it was built in 1962. Then, at the place where the flashes of Bagration were located, the remains of soldiers of both armies were discovered. After a solemn reburial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was discovered . In 1912, at the place where the command post of Napoleon was located, the only monument was erected to the fallen French. The inscription is made on it: "Dead of a great army."
There are also burials of Soviet soldiers of 1941-1942 on the field, which are located almost next to other commemorative signs erected in honor of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812. So, at the Borodino station there is the Mass grave of Soviet soldiers of the 5th Army.
Military History Museum
Borodino Field, in the center of which is located the Military History Museum, attracts hundreds of tourists every day. The main building was built in 1912, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the world-famous battle that turned the tide of the war of 1812. It houses a rich exposition showing the descendants of glorious warriors how the Battle of Borodino took place.
Architectural and memorial complex
At the place where once was one of the flashes of Bagration, today stands a beautiful architectural and memorial complex. It includes:
• Spaso-Borodinsky monastery, the construction of which was carried out in 1830-1870
• Spasskaya Church.
• Kolotsky Monastery, which was the headquarters of Kutuzov M. I.
• Church of the Nativity, dated to the end of the 17th century.
Spaso-Borodinsky Monastery was founded by Margarita Mikhailovna Tuchkova at the place where her husband died - General A. A. Tuchkov. In her house in 1994, a small exhibition was created, located in 3 rooms. It tells about the life of this glorious couple and the history of the foundation of the monastery. In the main room is a memorial to General Tuchkov.
The modern life of the museum
In the XXI century, the museum-reserve presented its visitors a new exhibition called "Borodino - the battle of the giants." It is located in a building built near the Raevsky battery. The basis of the exposition is genuine objects that are associated with the battle of Borodino. It includes: banners and standards; weapons; uniforms of soldiers of two armies; awards; documents; cards; personal items. Finds from the battlefield are also exhibited here. Among them are fragments of grenades, nuclei, bullets. The exhibition included various works of fine art created by participants and contemporaries of those long-standing events. Thematic paintings by artists of the 19th-20th centuries are also presented here.
On the territory of the Borodino field there is a settlement "Doronino", which is an interactive museum of military and peasant life. Its main feature is that all buildings, objects, things and interior details are real.
Other museum exhibits
One of the most popular exhibits of the museum-reserve is the Military Gallery. It is located in the refectory of the Church of the Savior-Borodino Monastery. The battle on the Borodino field was very large, therefore, the exposition presents more than 70 portraits of officers of the Russian army, in which there are many famous and little-known generals. More than a third of these military leaders were injured or shell-shocked in battle. The battle on the Borodino field is very reliably reflected in various layouts and stands.
Orthodox festival and reconstruction of the battles
Since 2005, the Borodino Field has become the venue for the Brothers International Youth Festival. Many patriotic clubs participate in reconstructions that recreate the battles of the Patriotic Wars of 1812 and 1941. Each year, an increasing number of different organizations take an active part in them. Such a passion gives modern people the opportunity to look at the historical events of their homeland through the eyes of the people who participated in them. Such a rapprochement with the past allows you to more fully experience your history and the continuity of generations. Members of military history clubs take an active part in many educational programs, in demonstrations, and make documentaries.
How to get to the museum
Many want to visit the Borodino field. How to get to it from Moscow? It is not difficult to get to the museum reserve. You can get here:
• By car, heading up to 102 km of the Minsk highway. Then follows a right turn in the direction of Mozhaisk. From it, following the sign to the village of Borodino, you need to drive only 12 km.
• By bus, taking the intercity route No. 457 Moscow-Mozhaysk. You can catch it at a stop near the metro station "Victory Park". Then you should go to the Borodino stop.
• By train, you can get from the Belorussky railway station to Borodino station, and then you need to walk about 3 km to the museum itself. Travel time is about 3 hours.
The Museum-Reserve accepts both group excursions and ordinary tourists. Experienced museum workers will help with the choice of a route through the territory of the Borodino field and the architectural and memorial complex. They will tell about any moments of one of the greatest battles in the history of our country.
In the village of Borodino there is a cafe "Mozhaisk ranch" in which tourists can relax and eat.