Prokhorovka: Museums, Military Technology and Memorial Sites

The “Tret'e ratnoe pole Rossii” Museum covers the history of the Prokhorovka district and the course of the Battle of Kursk. The Prokhorovka Tankodrom combines a vehicle exhibition with annual events. Prokhorovka Field is also home to a bell tower with an alarm bell and the Victory Park, a themed park.

The exhibition at the “Tret'e ratnoe pole Rossii” Museum offers insight into the history of the district and the course of the Battle of Kursk. The museum also displays models of various types of military equipment and objects belonging to participants in the fighting. The exhibits bring historical events and tangible objects into focus side by side.

The “Bitva za oruzhie Velikoy Pobedy” Museum is devoted to the large-scale evacuation of factories and people from the front-line zone to the interior of the country. A railway carriage that visitors can enter is presented as a journey deep into the hinterland; on board, visitors can listen to the stories of their fellow passengers. This offers a different way to experience an exhibition than viewing models and objects.

The history of tank building, from antiquity to the present day, is the subject of the Museum of Armored Vehicles. The “Shtab Rotmistrova” complex displays original furniture from the house where the army commander's headquarters was located, as well as personal belongings of P.A. Rotmistrov. Each exhibition has its own focus: technological development in one, and a historic site and personal objects in the other.

The Tankodrom track covers 1.2 hectares. The exhibition area displays 15 examples of armored vehicles and eight examples of artillery. With the support and involvement of the Ministry of Defense, they were brought there from various regions of Russia—from Rostov Oblast to Novosibirsk. There are stands for spectators.

The collection includes armored vehicles described as operational: the BTR-70 armored personnel carrier, the BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, the BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle, the BMD-2 airborne combat vehicle and the BA-64 armored car. If operational status is important for your plans, confirm the vehicles’ current condition before your visit.

Mass events are held at the Tankodrom every year. They include the all-Russian soldiers’ song festival “Pole Slavy” and ceremonial parades of armored vehicles. If you are traveling for a particular event, check the dates for the year you plan to visit; the fact that it takes place annually does not establish a specific date.

A 3.5-ton alarm bell hangs inside the dome of the bell tower on Prokhorovka Field. Its peal commemorates the battles of Kulikovo, Borodino and Prokhorovka. The Victory Park in Prokhorovka is a themed park on the field.

The park’s monuments and sculptures include “Prival,” “V ataku!” and “Polkovodtsy.” There are also depictions of Soviet soldiers, women in wartime, Pavel Shpetny and Mikhail Borisov. The memorial sites offer different points of connection: the bell tower links the remembrance of several battles, while the park brings together various monuments and figures.

The “Tret'e ratnoe pole Rossii” Museum has a technologically equipped educational room with 24 seats for activities with children. Quizzes and team games are held there. This distinguishes it from the exhibitions, which focus mainly on historical subjects, objects and technological development.

Visitors with mobility impairments can use a wheelchair free of charge at the museum reserve’s facilities. Contact the museum directly before your trip to confirm the arrangements. This allows you to take this need into account when planning without assuming the service will be available on a particular day.

Discover more destinations: Beregovoye, Vodnik, Ternovka, Zhdanov, Ziborovka, Yastrebovo, Borisovka, Shebekino.

How many seats are there in the Tankodrom stands?

The stands for spectators have more than 1,300 seats.

How often does the alarm bell ring?

It rings three times an hour in remembrance of the battles of Kulikovo, Borodino and Prokhorovka.

What takes place in the educational room for children?

Quizzes and team games are held in the technologically equipped room, which has 24 seats.

Go to the main travel overview: Belgorod Oblast.