1636 - their last battle

The special exhibition "1636 - ihre letzte Schlacht" can be seen at the Military History Museum (MHM) of the Bundeswehr in Dresden. The exhibition focuses on the Battle of Wittstock in 1636 and showcases the archaeological finds from the mass grave discovered there. With its 125 soldiers who fell in battle and were buried in formation, it is the largest and best-preserved grave of the Thirty Years' War in Europe. "1636 - ihre letzte Schlacht" reconstructs the battle events of October 4, 1636, and the everyday life in the 17th century from an unusual perspective: that of the common soldier and mercenary.

Who are the 125 soldiers in the grave? How was it discovered and excavated? Who conducted the numerous investigations? Immediately upon entering the museum rooms, the visitor will encounter a staging of soldier silhouettes. They will walk through the group of mercenaries and learn about the personal fates of the fallen soldiers. The researchers who carried out the excavation and reconstructed the mercenaries' fates introduce themselves.

How did people live during the Thirty Years' War? How did they protect themselves? How did they cope with hunger and hardship? Original documents and archaeological finds guide the visitor back to the early 17th century. Through the eyes of anthropologists, the dietary habits of the urban and rural population can be inferred from human skeletons. Rediscovered treasures demonstrate people's fears of attacks and losses during this time of unrest.

When and how did one become a mercenary? What motivated people to join a regiment? Did the army really offer a new home? Recruiting and mustering mercenaries varied greatly in German, Swedish, or Scottish regiments. The finds from Wittstock - left: the excavation, right: a reconstructed head - show that military regulations were not always strictly enforced.

What weapons were used in the battles? What war tactics did the commanders employ? How did they distinguish between friend and foe during combat? Original weapons, clothing components, and military equipment lead the visitor into the military world of the 17th century. Richly illustrated war manuals explain contemporary innovations in weapon technology and battle formations. The numerous ammunition finds from the Wittstock battlefield are analyzed using forensic techniques.

What exactly happened on October 4, 1636? Who positioned themselves where for the battle? How and from what - above: a sword and the traces on a excavated skull - did the buried mercenaries die? What were the casualties? Eyewitness reports and historical maps are evaluated with a forensic touch. Modern aerial observations and the survey of hundreds of lead bullets from the battlefield allow for the extensive reconstruction of the battle. Through a video installation, the visitor is immersed in the course of the battle. Forensic and traumatological examinations of the bones clarify the injuries and specific causes of death. Multiple injuries from different weapons indicate the rage and cruelty of the battle.

During a tour, the visitor gains insight into daily life during the war. It begins with the general living conditions and proceeds through the recruitment of soldiers, their daily work, camp life, and medical care, to the course of the battle of Wittstock and its consequences. The bones from the grave and the spectacular findings of the analyses form the red thread. Historical weapons, illustrated manuscripts and maps, original equipment parts, and treasure finds illustrate the exhibition contents. Interactive graphics and media stations provide a wide range of information and details.

"1636 - ihre letzte Schlacht" can be seen at the Military History Museum (MHM) of the Bundeswehr in Dresden until November 12. For the special exhibition, there is a program for schools and also a accompanying program. All information about the MHM: http://mhmbw.de

Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday, 10 am to 6 pm, Monday 10 am to 9 pm. Closed on Wednesdays. Admission: 5 Euro (reduced 3 Euro). Free admission on Mondays after 6 pm.

All images: BLDAM