Project Austerlitz

The village once was surrounded by ponds from all sides – towards Telnice lied Žatčany pond, behind the road towards Hodonín then Měnín pond, with its 514 hectares being one of the largest water areas in Moravia. The ponds were gradually drained and converted into arable land, but during the period of the Battle of Austerlitz they still existed and played a significant role especially in its ending. Up to the present day there are still legends circulating that Napoleon forced his adversaries on the icy bed of the ponds, which under their weight collapsed. French historians, who issued from the Napoleon’s proclamation after the victorious battle for a long time claimed, that during the retreat in Žatčany pond many enemy soldiers drowned. Although when after Napoleon’s direct order the pond was drained between 8th – 12th December 1805, many dead horses were found, but only two or three dead Russian soldiers, not the expected hundreds or even thousands. However the legend about the ponds is still alive today. The Battle of Austerlitz in Žatčany is reminded by five iron cannon balls, in-built into the gable of the former farmhouse. The fact that the local settlement has far longer traditions is witnessed by the recent discovery of a Celtic grave in the field on the bank of former Žatčany pond.

• Project Austerlitz
• Mohyla miru - Austerlitz
• C.E.N.S.
• Member communities
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