Maloyaroslavets: Traces of 1812 and Museums

Maloyaroslavets brings together the history of 1812 with museums, art, and memorial sites throughout the city. The battle is not just the subject of an exhibition here: a monastery grounds, a square with mass graves, and other historic sites are also tangible points of reference. There are also exhibitions on the Savrasov family and works by various artists.

Maloyaroslavets and the Battle of 1812

The Military History Museum, dedicated to the year 1812, was founded in Maloyaroslavets in 1939. Its museum complex comprises three buildings with two exhibitions. As their layout may change, check the current displays before visiting. One exhibition is accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s Overture “1812” and sound effects recreating the sounds of battle. On September 12, 1987, a diorama of the Battle of Maloyaroslavets was unveiled in a chapel. The chapel had been built in 1860 beside the mass graves of those killed in the fighting of 1812.

The grounds of the Svyato-Nikolsky Chernoostrovsky Convent were also the setting for a decisive battle in the war against Napoleon. The convent sits atop Mount Osobnaya, high above the banks of the Luzha, a tributary of the Protva. History and a striking location above the river therefore come together at this site.

Memorial Sites Around the City

The 1812 Square in Maloyaroslavets is dedicated to the events of that year. The remains of 1,300 Russian soldiers who fell at Maloyaroslavets were buried, with the participation of the city’s clergy, in three mass graves within the city. Two are on the square; the third is on the outskirts, at the old Besonovskoye Cemetery. A monument to the commander-in-chief of the Russian army stands in the center of 1812 Square.

Another memorial site is the Monument of Glory on Trade Square. It was erected in the 19th century to commemorate the events of the Patriotic War of 1812. Each site has its own emphasis: the square combines its dedication to 1812 with the graves and monument, while the Monument of Glory recalls the events of that time.

Art and Local History in the Museums

The exhibition at the Maloyaroslavets Art Gallery, named after Elizaveta Chernyavskaya, features works by more than 30 artists. As the exhibitions may change, check the current displays before visiting. The “20th Century or Back to the USSR” Charity Museum has eight exhibition halls and a collection of vintage cars. Check in advance for current opening hours and exhibition details.

The Museum and Exhibition Center named after I. A. Soldatenkov devotes part of its permanent exhibition to the history of the Savrasov family. Documents, photographs, and paintings complement items once owned by the Savrasovs, including a 19th-century binocular stereoscope. The conservator Vyacheslav Dmitrievich Matveichev donated more than 400 of his inlaid woodworks to the center.

Choose a Reason for Your Trip and a Vacation Rental

Since 1987, a reenactment of the battle has been held annually at the Military History Museum of Maloyaroslavets. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the latest event information in advance.

When looking for a vacation rental, your preferred focus for the trip can be a good starting point: if the history of the battle is your main interest, the museum, monastery grounds, and memorial sites offer different historical points of reference. If you would also like to explore art and local history, you can add the gallery and the Savrasov exhibition to your itinerary.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Losinoye, Mokroye, Razdol, Berdy, Ermolino, Inino, Karaskovo, Nikola-Lenivets.

Return to the main travel guide: Kaluga Oblast.