History amateurs are invited to join the tour that reveals the whole true story about the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Do you know why «Bérézina» is used in French as a synonym for «disaster»?
You will see the place of the famous Berezina River crossing, in which the Grand Army suffered incredibly heavy losses.
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Arrival in Minsk. Check-in at hotel. Minsk city tour
We warmly welcome you in Minsk – the capital of the Republic of Belarus, its political and cultural centre. It was first mentioned in the chronicles of the XIth century. Today, it is a dynamic city with expansive boulevards, modern and historical buildings, endless parks and well-developed infrastructure. Being an impressive example of the Soviet planning on a grand scale, Minsk however has a number of outstanding historical sights, proving city’s rich history.
Sightseeing tour of Minsk includes the main avenues (Independence Avenue , Victory Square ) and the architectural monuments of the XVIIth - XXth centuries (Upper Town with the City Hall , Holy Spirit Church and the Cathedral of Blessed Virgin Mary , old streets of the Trinity Suburb ). The Victory Monument and the National Library (included into the list of the most outstanding buildings of the world) are waiting to be explored.
Overnight in Minsk.
Minsk – Borisov – Studenka – Brili – Zembin – Bivouaс 1812
Transfer to Borisov, a crucial location in times when the French Emperor Napoleon with his Grand Army was retreating from Moscow in 1812, being pursued by the Russian Army. Cannon from the Napoleonic era is still kept by the Borisov state museum.
Transfer to Studenka village and Brili field, visiting the site of the famous Berezina River crossing, in which the Napoleon’s army lost thousands of its soldiers. This historical event was later widely depicted on numerous paintings by various artists. Today there are several memorials nearby, commemorating the victims of the war. And local clubs of military history are traditionally reenacting the event during special festivals.
Transfer to Zembin, where Napoleon spent his first night after the tragedy on Berezina. There is a legend that at local church repented of his sins in the presence of a priest the Grand Army’s Marshal.
Transfer to the farmstead named “Bivouac 1812” , which continues telling a story about the Napoleonic War. Its interior is full of small details that bring us back to the beginning of the XIXth century. The farmstead houses its own museum, devoted to the events of the war, which has a collection of artifacts, portraits and even army officers’ uniforms. Guests are also invited to have some training in horse-riding just on site!
Overnight at the farmstead.
Bivouac 1812 – Krupki – Bobr – Orsha – Vitebsk
Transfer to the town of Krupki. There is a theory that Napoleon’s coach, carrying his numerous treasures, went down in the lake just behind this small town.
Transfer to Bobr and Orsha. In Orsha the French Emperor stayed twice: on the way to Moscow and during his sad way back. He spent the nights at Jesuit collegium; from there he gave instructions to his marshals. In Orsha Napoleon ordered to burn down lots of coaches, including ones with seized goods from Moscow Kremlin – to ensure the Army had enough mobility.
Transfer to Vitebsk, known for the Battle of Vitebsk in July 1812, which ended up with the Russian forces making a strategic retreat from the battlefield. In Vitebsk Napoleon stayed at the Governor’s Palace and was planning to spend the whole winter there in order to give the rest to the Army and to replenish the Army’s stock (for example, he ordered to build 36 bakeries in Vitebsk for producing bread for the soldiers). In reality, the French Emperor decided to leave Vitebsk in 2 weeks and to move towards Smolensk.
Overnight in Vitebsk.
Vitebsk city tour. Vitebsk – Khatyn – Minsk
Today Vitebsk is known as the cultural capital of the country because of the city’s rich artistic heritage. Marc Chagall, an outstanding artist of the XXth century, was born here – moreover, Vitebsk became his main source of inspiration for the entire life, the town’s views could be recognizable on lots of Chagall’s paintings. Such world-famous artists as Vasiliy Kandinskiy, Ilya Repin, Kasimir Malevich also once lived and created in Vitebsk.
During the city tour you will visitMarc Chagall House Museum and Marc Chagall Art Center , as well other sights, which give Vitebsk an elegant sense of past:Annunciation Church , Holy Resurrection Church , Governor’s Palace, the famous Kirov Bridge across the Western Dvina River.
Transfer to Khatyn , deeply-affecting memorial that commemorates all innocent victims of the World War II. The village of Khatyn was burned down and the entire population was massacred by the Nazis in 1943. Today it is a symbol of the tragedy of the Belarusian nation.
Transfer to Minsk. Overnight in Minsk.
Minsk – WWII museum – Stalin Line – Minsk
Excursion at World War II Museum . It was the first museum in the world to reveal the story of this disastrous war, as it was opened already in 1944, during the Nazi occupation. Among the museum’s first exhibits were the partisan movement chronicles, handwritten and printed books, handmade weapons. Today the museum, which occupies an area of 3 000 sq.m., houses more then 8 000 exhibits, including combat reports, diaries, drawings, flags of military units, military uniforms, military weapons, vehicles and other items.
Transfer to Stalin Line – an open-air museum of military fortifications, including the defensive line with trenches, anti-tank obstacles and ditches, anti-personnel obstacles and machine-gun pillboxes. Visitors can walk around a pillbox and sit in a gun emplacement, stroll along the trench system and clamber over a tank. The guides are dressed in uniforms of the day. To feel the atmosphere of that by-passed war you should also try the sample rations eaten by soldiers of the time.
Transfer to Minsk. Overnight in Minsk.
Departure
Transfer to the airport. Departure
