Napoleon's Hill

Napoleon's hill, actually Jiesia (Pajesys) hill fort mound is located in Kaunas, Lithuania, on the left bank of the Nemunas, between the Panemunė and Railway bridges.

From this hill Napoleon Bonaparte watched his Grande Armée crossing the Neman during the French invasion of Russia on 24/25 June 1812; according to his orders two bridges were built to the left of the Jiesia and one in front of the hill, each 300 m apart.

Napoleon Bonaparte arrived at the Nemunas River, near Panemunė, where the 6th Polish cavalry regiment was stationed.

Wearing a colonel's "surtout" and hat, the commander reconnoitred the river from Panemunė to Aleksotas.

The Grand Army Bridge Construction Unit was led by General Jean-Baptiste Eblé.