History of Russia: The exhibition “Alexander I and the Patriotic War of 1812” presented in St. Petersburg

The exhibition Alexander I and the Patriotic War of 1812 has been opened at the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps (St. Petersburg).

The exhibition is dedicated to the war and political activity of Emperor of Russia Alexander I and the main event that took place during his reign – the Patriotic War of 1812.

On June 24, 210 years ago, the Great Army (La Grande Armée) commanded by French Emperor Napoleon I crossed the Niemen River and began a large-scale invasion of Russia. Marking this date, the exhibition is primarily dedicated to Russian Emperor Alexander I, whose 245th anniversary is celebrated this year. Numerous war conflicts happened during his reign (1801-1825), including the Napoleon’s Russian campaign.

The exhibition displays various pieces of weaponry and uniforms of Russian, French and Prussian armies, war paintings and graphics, samples of artillery pieces, orders and medals of the warring parties, rare documents and printed publications.

The most interesting exhibits though are the authentic relics from the collections of the Museum – items that belonged to Alexander I himself, including his clothes, weapons, and documents signed by the Emperor. Of particular interest are the state awards, given to Alexander I in 1813-1815 by the leaders of all European countries, which undeniably proves the crucial role of the Russian army in the victory over Napoleon I. Trophies, presents, diplomas that the Emperor awarded his subjects with are also displayed.

The exhibition tells about the condition of the Russian Imperial Army during the first years of the Alexander I’s reign, wars with France (1805-1807) and Sweden (1808-1809), the preparations for the war of 1812, its key moments, Napoleon’s banishment from Russia, the foreign campaign of the Russian Army in 1813-1815, the establishment of the Holy Alliance, and the last years of the Emperor’s reign (1815-1825).

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland in the Russian Empire.