Name: History buffs flock to Czech Republic to re-enact Napoleon’s Austerlitz triumph
Uploaded: 2025-12-01T02:51:43.784Z
Duration: 1 min 39 s
Description: Thousands of history buffs from across Europe gather each year in the Czech Republic to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon’s victory over Russian and Austrian forces. Cannons and guns blazing, enthusiasts re-enact battle scenes from a campaign first fought more than 200 years ago.

Thousands of history buffs from across Europe gather each year in the Czech Republic to commemorate the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon’s victory over Russian and Austrian forces. Cannons and guns blazing, enthusiasts re-enact battle scenes from a campaign first fought more than 200 years ago.

Slavkov u Brna

The Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon's decisive 1805 victory, is commemorated each year in the Czech Republic by history enthusiasts from around the world. This year's re-enactment featured over 1,600 participants from more than 18 countries, with elaborate displays including rifles, cannons, and cavalry.

American Mark Schneider, who has portrayed Napoleon for two decades, marked his final performance at the event. Organisers stress that the annual gathering aims to promote understanding of European history rather than glorify war or Napoleon's triumph.

History buffs flock to Czech Republic to re-enact Napoleon’s Austerlitz triumph

It was Napoleon's most decisive victory, the Battle of Austerlitz and to commemorate it, history buffs unite every year. Cannons and guns ablazing, they recreate the French Emperor's tactical defeat of the much greater Russian-Austrian forces. American Mark Schneider played Napoleon once again and after a two-decade commitment celebrated his final run. For me, you know, for 20 years being here at the 200th anniversary and now on the 220th, it's really an honour and pleasure, so it's an incredible experience. On the 2nd of December 1805, Napoleon led a force of some 73,000 troops to beat the more than 85,000 who fought for the Allies. With some 15,000 dead or wounded, Austria signed a truce at the Castle of Austerlitz and a peace treaty was later brokered. This reenactment takes place every year in the Czech Republic in late November. Organisers say each event is bigger than the last. This year we have more than 1,600 participants from over 18 countries in the world. Each arsenal comprises 1,100 rifles, 16 cannons, the cavalry rides over 80 horses. According to organisers, the aim is not to celebrate war or Napoleon and his victory, rather it is to promote knowledge of a common European history.

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