Military Valour of Centuries

The exhibition titled “Military Valour of Centuries” was opened in the Vologda Tower. It presents reconstruction of armour and arms of the 13^th – 17^th centuries. Many people have visited it over the last years, but it is still interesting for them. The exhibition is organized by the Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve and the public organization “Tula City Youth Club of Historical Reconstruction and Fencing”.

The displayed examples of reconstruction of ancient defensive arms are unique. They were made using archeological finds and museum exhibits of the State Historical Museum, the Armory Museum, the Hermitage, the Kulikovo Field Museum, and European expositions. These sets of arms have undergone real field tests at military and historical festivals, jousting tournaments and mass battles held in full-contact – buhurts.

The other important peculiarity of the exhibition is reconstructions of armour and arms from different historical art sources. Detail examination of miniatures, icons and illustrations of the chronicles gave an opportunity to reconstruct elements of arms which didn’t have archaeological analogues. A striking example of such reconstruction was a helm “Bukovitsa” made by modern masters of Tula in accordance with the Novgorod Psalter of the 14^th century.

Emphasizing the importance of the rich heritage of the Middle Ages, achievements of people and our ancestors’ talent, having united the accumulated knowledge of scientists with experiences of experimental archaeology, specialists reconstructed unique sets, having united separate finds and data about the military science of ancient Russia in a single set of arms and armour. The organizers of the exhibition are sure that visitors will be able to build a holistic picture of the military development of Russia from the 13^th till the 17^th century and will gain unforgettable impressions, having touched the revived epic heroes, knights and Mongolian warriors.