Day 11: War is a Nasty Thing

I'm sure you already knew that, but we learned it again in visiting the site of the Battle of Austerlitz.  Again, I admit to knowing almost nothing about this battle or the Napoleonic wars in general.  However, I was touched by the peace and beauty that now occupies this once bloody field.  A rather unique monument has been erected at the place, with emperors standing on each corner of the four-sided pyramid.

There is a chapel underneath the monument.

The green fields and grass around them seemed to belie its violent past.

We took photos of the chapel through the bars, but couldn't enter.

 

Here are some photos of the battle grounds - imagine how many people died in this place.  It's very sad.

 

After experiencing a visual and audio representation of what the battle must have been like, we went to the nearby town of Austerlitz (called Slavkov in Czech).  At the castle there, Napoleon had his headquarters.  There they have people who dress up like soldiers.

 

The little man on the stairs, dressed like a French soldier is Napoleon.  He and his wife were hanging out here.

 

Some of the soldiers march past some of us commoners.

 

Very beautiful garden and grounds at the castle.

 

 

 

 

Here is where the soldiers camped.  Apparently they kept their children with them.

 

Guarding his gun (particularly from that teddy bear).

 

 

Stay tuned for our last adventure with my parents!  There is one day of "addendum" after that and then - the trip is over and we can all return to our normal lives.