Mariánský sloup (Jičín) Marian column

The Marian column in Jičín is a Baroque monument from 1702, located on the southern part of the Waldstein Square. Its central element is the Corinthian column with the sumptuous statue of the Virgin Mary Immaculata, symbolizing faith and local history.

The construction was initiated by Jesuits who played a key role in social and cultural life during the Baroque period. Archive records show that the construction began on 11 May 1702 under the leadership of Šebestián the Roman and Pavel Pozap. City scribe František Lipský has read the charter, which was deposited in a lead box in the foundation along with the relics and names of the founders. The Corinthians column was built on May 13th and the statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on the top two days later, subsequently consecrated in the church of St. James.

The monument stands on an octave base with three steps. On this foundation, there is another eight-sided pedestal whose four narrower sides decorate the statues of angels. Above it is a prism more than two metres tall, on which stands a six-metre pole with a Corinthian head. On top is a gilded superlife statue of the Virgin Mary Immaculata, built on the globe by a snake. The entire object is enclosed by decorative forging and mounted with lime.

The author's work is unknown; In the records of the Jesuit college there is a reference to the Prague sculptor, but the possibility is also the jičín stonemason J. Čapek. The column is not located in the middle of the square, which was the result of a dispute between the high and the Jesuit; Instead it is located towards an alley leading to the Jesuit dorm and St. Ignatius Church.

The statues of angels were added at the end of the eighteenth century. The statue was repaired in 1795, during which it was considered to move the monument to the centre of the square, but because of financial problems it remained in its original place.

The Marian Column has been registered in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic since 3 May 1958. In 2009, restoration work was carried out, during which the original issues were solved better, the roots of which threatened the foundations. New trees were planted one and a half meters away from the fence.

This baroque monument is a valuable element of jichinese urbanism and a testament to the influence of the Jesuit order. It is recommended to visit it as part of a tour of the Waldstein Square.