In 2012, Russia celebrated the anniversary date - the bicentenary of the victory over the Napoleonic army. The opening of a specially built two-story pavilion in the capital, which housed the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812, was timed to coincide with this celebration. The idea of creating such a memorial appeared back in the 19th century, but for many years various circumstances prevented its implementation, and finally, Russia received a museum worthy of the memory of those legendary events.
Burnt memorial
After the village of Fili entered the history of Russia as the place where M. I. Kutuzov made the only right decision at that time to surrender Moscow, in the hut where the officers gathered, authentic things were carefully stored for more than half a century, related to this important event.
In 1868, the owner of the land plot on which the “Kutuzovskaya hut” was located, the well-known Moscow philanthropist E. D. Naryshkin, decided to donate it to the city to create a memorial complex in it, but, unfortunately, these plans was not destined to come true:in the same year, the historic hut burned down.
Initiatives from the people
After twenty years, in 1888, Orthodox activists in Moscow came up with a patriotic initiative. At the expense of the Union of banner-bearers uniting them, created at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, they built an exact copy of the historical Kutuzov hut, the project of which was developed by architect N. D. Strukov. It was, in fact, the first museum of the Patriotic War of 1812, which existed until 1929.
Undoubtedly, the Russians at all times had a sense of patriotism and gratitude to those who, with weapons in their hands, defended their land from enemies. This found a vivid manifestation in the decision of the employees of the Borodino railway station, who created an exposition in the station building in 1903, telling about the events of the war with Napoleon.
The Highest Decree
This, by that time, the second Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812, opened on a voluntary basis, prompted Emperor Nicholas II to issue an imperial decree on the creation of a state memorial in memory of the event, the centenary of which was soon to be celebrated. It is quite understandable that this initiative received the most enthusiastic approval in all sectors of society.
To lead the work of the committee, which was entrusted with creating the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow, was entrusted to Colonel of the General Staff Vladimir Alexandrovich Afanasyev. This choice was not accidental - being a great connoisseur of history and a true patriot of Russia, VladimirAlexandrovich personally collected a huge amount of materials that contributed to the study of the events of those memorable years. He began his activities as head of the committee with the publication of a brochure on the issue of choosing a site for the future museum.
Celebration of the centennial anniversary
Three years before the significant anniversary, a small museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 was created in the Poteshny Palace - an extension located near the western wall of the Kremlin. In Moscow, this event received the most lively response, and on Palace Street, where the exposition was located, it was always crowded.
By the beginning of the main celebrations that took place in 1912, the main exhibition began its work in the premises of the Imperial Historical Museum, which became the result of the work of the committee headed by V. A. Afanasyev. Her expositions were placed in nine halls, each of which had its own thematic direction.
Besides, visitors of the exhibition were presented with Vasily Vereshchagin's paintings specially brought from St. Petersburg, which made up the 1812 series and were kept in the collection of the Russian Museum. Of great interest were the exhibits donated to the museum from the vaults of the collector and philanthropist A. A. Bakhrushin. It was on the basis of this anniversary exhibition that it was planned to subsequently create a museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow.
Circumstances that violated all plans
Further work on the creation of the museum put an end toThe imperialist war, and the October coup that followed it, completely postponed the implementation of the project for an indefinite period. V. A. Afanasiev, who by that time had been awarded the rank of major general, voluntarily went over to the side of the Bolsheviks, but in the thirties he fell under another Stalinist “purge” and was arrested on charges of involvement in one of the anti-Soviet organizations. Fortunately, the exhibits presented at the 1912 exhibition did not disappear, but were preserved in the storerooms of the Historical Museum.
Two centuries after Borodino
Years have passed, the next anniversary of the expulsion of the Napoleonic invaders from the territory of Russia has approached. This time it was to celebrate the bicentenary of such a significant event. Two years before the anniversary, the construction of a special exhibition pavilion began to house exhibits from the storerooms of the Historical Museum, which were based on materials collected back in 1912. Four hundred and forty million rubles were allocated from the state budget for this purpose.
All work carried out under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture was completed in 2012, and by the beginning of the celebrations, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 (address: Moscow, Revolution Square, 2/3) was opened. This event took place on September 4, and two days later its halls received the first visitors.
Large-scale and meaningful exposition
The expositions of the newly created museum are very extensive. They consist of two thousand rarities, including weapons of those years, uniforms, raredocuments, as well as paintings depicting heroic pictures of legendary events. A lively response from visitors is also found by materials depicting the appearance of the two main historical figures of that era, the two emperors - Russian and French.
From now on, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 has taken its rightful place among the exhibition complexes of the capital. Reviews of his work speak for themselves. Hundreds of people, having examined the exhibition, wish to share their impressions with those who are just going to visit it. Their opinion is especially interesting and valuable precisely because it is unbiased: people openly express their opinion.
Most memorable exhibits
As can be seen from the numerous entries left by visitors to the exhibition, a fragment of the mural presented at the beginning of the exhibition makes a great impression. This is a fresco that miraculously survived after the main temple of Moscow was destroyed in December 1931, built in gratitude to the Savior, who delivered Russia from the Napoleonic hordes. Its author, the famous Russian painter of the late 19th century, Genrikh Semiradsky, depicted a very effective allegorical scene, giving it the meaning of a symbol of the invincibility of Russian weapons.
Among the reviews, there is also a special interest in another unique exhibit presented at the exhibition. This is a genuine sword that once belonged to Napoleon and presented by him to Count Shuvalov as a token of gratitude for saving him from an angry crowd during his journey to the place of exile onElba island.
The work of the multimedia system integrated into the exposition also makes a favorable impression, which allows illustrating the material presented on it by demonstrating videos and playing animated battle maps.
Invitation to the Museum
Everyone who cares about the history of our Motherland will find it interesting and useful to visit the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812. Opening hours: Friday and Saturday - from 10:00 to 21:00, and on other days of the week - from 10:00 to 18:00. Both an individual inspection of the exposition and the organization of excursions are provided. The Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 in Moscow, whose address is indicated above, occupies a two-story pavilion located between the Moscow City Duma and the premises of the Old Mint.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance that this museum has for educating Russian citizens, and especially young people, a sense of love for the Motherland and patriotism. It is no coincidence that the creation of the memorial was given so much attention throughout the entire period that has passed since those ancient days when the last Napoleonic soldier left Russia.
