The monument to the heroes of the war of 1812 was installed in Vitebsk to the day of celebrating of the 100 anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic war on the initiative of the Vitebsk scientific archive Commission. Funds for the memorial were raised by the residents of Vitebsk and Vitebsk province. A monument to perpetuate the immortal feat of the Belarusian nation in the war against Napoleon's army.

On the eve of celebration throughout the Russian Empire was a contest for the best work. The entries were published in the magazine "Architect". In Vitebsk was the selected project of I. A. Fomin. Before you make a monument out of stone, made of wood and installed in the available space, to see all the flaws.

The monument was erected in front of the Governor's house, where in 1812, Napoleon conducted the review of his troops before you make the fateful decision to move to Moscow.

26-foot polished granite obelisk topped by a double-headed eagle sitting on the ball. The obelisk is mounted on a rectangular pedestal. A memorial plaque on the pedestal reads: "the Immortal valor of the heroes of the Patriotic war, participants of the battles of Vitebsk 13, 14, 15 July and 26 October 1812." At the corners of the monument are four cast-iron gun-mortars.

Red granite obelisk quarried in the galleries of Helsingfors (Helsinki) and specially delivered to Vitebsk, where he was treated by the master A. A. Ivanov from the village of Vasergeliski Vitebsk province.

Bronze eagle on globe was made in the factory of art of bronze-casting and electroforming works of A. morón in St. Petersburg.