Monument in honor of the victory in the 1812 in Kobrin

Kobryn entered history as the city where, on July 15 (27), 1812, within the borders of the Russian Empire, the first full and undisputed victory of the Russian army over Napoleon’s forces was achieved. This event became a significant milestone in the course of the Patriotic War of 1812, attracting the attention of historians and tourists interested in military history.

The Battle of Kobryn: A Key Moment of the War of 1812

The battle lasted over 9 hours and ended with the complete defeat of the Saxon troops that were part of Napoleon's army. During the fight, about 2,000 Saxons were killed, and 76 officers and 2,380 soldiers were taken prisoner. The victory at Kobryn became one of the most significant triumphs of the early stage of the war, playing an important role in strengthening the positions of the Russian army.

Monument to the First Victory of Russian Troops in 1812

In 1912, to commemorate the centenary of the victory, a monument was erected in Kobryn in honor of these events. The funds for its construction were collected by soldiers and officers of the 38th Infantry Division and the 38th Artillery Brigade stationed in the vicinity of the city, as well as by residents of the Grodno region and military units that participated in the battle.

The monument was inaugurated in July 1913. The project was developed by engineer Markov from Grodno and Warsaw sculptor Sigismund Otto. The monument turned out to be majestic: on the front and side faces of the pedestal, three marble memorial plaques were placed. The central plaque bore the inscription: "To the Russian warriors who won the first victory over Napoleon's troops within Russia on July 15, 1812." The side plaques listed the regiments that participated in the battle, the captured trophies, the number of prisoners, and the sponsors who contributed to the monument’s construction.

The Monument's History: From World War I to the Present

During World War I, after Kobryn was occupied by the German Kaiser’s forces in 1915, the eagle and marble plaques were removed by German soldiers. During the Polish period, a bust of Tadeusz Kościuszko, created by local sculptor B. Widacka, was installed on the pedestal. However, after the war, in 1951, the bust was replaced with a new eagle sculpted by M. Kerzin. The eagle holds a wreath in its beak and claws, symbolizing the memory of the glorious victory of the Russian troops.

Kobryn – A Military History Tourist Attraction

Today, Kobryn is one of the most fascinating places for tourists interested in the history of the Napoleonic Wars and military monuments. Here, you can see the monument commemorating the important victory of the Russian army and walk through the places where a decisive battle once unfolded. If you want to learn more about Belarus' heroic past, be sure to include Kobryn in your excursion itinerary.