As a commemoration of the phenomenal victory the city of Brno acquired during the Thirty Years’ War, this weekend, there will be many events all over the city.
It will be 372 years since the day Brno defended in a gruesome siege against the Swedes. August 15, 1645, marks the final attempt of Swedish army to capture the last major city of Moravia. Attacking from 6 different spots at once, the Swedes failed to penetrate the city’s defence, thus leaving Brno as the sole capital of the Margraviate of Moravia.
Swedish army counted 40 thousand troops, while only 1500 men defended the walls of the Špilberk fortress. Having failed multiple times, Swedes, under the command of General Torstenson, withdrew and marched towards their main destination – Vienna.
A major role in the siege was played by the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of Brno Jean-Louis Raduit de Souches. In the beginning of Thirty Years’ War, he served in the Swedish army. Later on, he had a disagreement with one of the Swedish generals. Insulted and hindered to do anything (he couldn’t have challenged him to a duel, as he was lower in rank), de Souches joined the Imperial army. Serving among the Swedish ranks gave him a fair advantage, knowing their tactics.
The celebrations will start on Thursday with a lecture from prof. P. Marty about the young Raduit de Souches in the Brno City Museum, and finish on Saturday evening with fireworks blazing across the night sky.
Friday
Kraví hora
16:00 – 21:00 – fair
18:00 – A PAINTER’S STORY – Duel fencing ensemble
19:00 – TRAP AND KILL – Bravo team fencing ensemble
20:00 – LUCRECIA BORGIA – music group
Brno Underground, Labyrinth underneath Zelný trh
19:00 – 21:30 (every half hour) – BLACK BALL FOR TORSTENSON – guided tours in the underground rooms and corridors underneath Zelný trh.
Capuchin Tomb
19:00 – 20:30 (every half hour) – Commented evening tours of the final resting places of mummified monks and benefactors of the monastery.
Entrance fee – 70 CZK
Students & Seniors – 35 CZK
Family ticket – 150 CZK
Booking available:
Website
Phone: 511 140 053
Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
19:00 – lantern parade and wreath-laying ceremony to honour the victims of the siege of Brno. Bishop Vojtěch Cikrle and Petr Vokřál, Mayor of the City of Brno, will have their speeches following by a service of worship.
Saturday
Náměstí Svobody
11:00 – Church of St. James – memorial service to honour de Souches
11:10 – military parade at náměstí Svobody
11:15 – march to Kraví hora
Kraví hora
10:00 – 9:00 p.m. – fair
12.00 – life in a military camp
13:00 – YUFFI – juggler
14:00 – EUROPEAN DRUMS OF WAR – Banda alegra
15:00 – MUSKETEERS AND COMPANY – commented presentations of historical armies
16:00 – IN THE ARMY NOW – S.P.G. fencing ensemble
17:00 – YUFFI – juggler
18:00 – ATTACK ON BATTERY AT ST. ANNE – re-enactment of 1645 battle
19:30 – CODEX – music group
20:30 – HORSES, HORSES – Equidance – dressage exhibition
21:20 – FIERY SKY OVER BRNO – fireworks
