Medal Commemorating the Congress of Monarchs

The medal commemorates the events of August and September 1835, when the Congress of Monarchs was held in Kalisz. During this gathering in the city on the Prosna River, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and King Frederick William III of Prussia met, joined by members of their families and representatives of other European courts. The congress was accompanied by military maneuvers, conducted in the fields near Kalisz, including Kokanin and Opatówek, as well as various ceremonial events. Among them was a torchlight procession (capstrzyk) on St. Joseph’s Square, enhanced by an evening performance of combined military orchestras, along with theatrical performances and concerts. Notably, the Kalisz congress was one of three such summits held in Europe during the 1830s. The first took place in Münchengrätz (Mnichovo Hradiště, Czechia) in 1833, while the final one was held in Cieplice in 1835, following the conclusion of the Kalisz meeting. After departing from Kalisz, the European rulers continued their journey to Cieplice. All these congresses and their associated events served a propaganda purpose, demonstrating the unity and strength of both empires.