Mariánský sloup (Litoměřice) Marian column

Welcome to Litomerice, Peace Square. Right now, you are facing a unique historical monument, which is a Marian pillar, which is also known in our city as a plague pillar. Take a look around you and let the atmosphere of this area, at the centre of which this noble building is erected. There is a monument in front of you that carries deep stories of gratitude, an art championship, and also a reminder of the dark times that the inhabitants of the past had to go through.

Let's go back together in time to the second half of the seventeenth century to understand why this column actually came into being. The year one thousand six hundred and eighty has entered the history of Litomeric in very black letters. The city was affected by a devastating plague epidemic that claimed massive human losses. Around 400 people died in the streets at the time. It was an extremely difficult test for the people here, full of fear and despair. When this terrible disease was finally overcome and life slowly returned to its tracks, gratitude for the rescue led to a decision to build a lasting reminder of God's grace. In the year one thousand six hundred and eighty-one, this Marian pillar was ceremonially consecrated and its construction began at this moment.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and the details you see before you. The whole work was built according to the design of the important builder Giulio Broggio. Other people, especially talented sculptor Abraham Kitzinger and skilled lithomeric stonemakers Andreas Kolderer and Ambrož Wald, were also involved in its creation. Look slowly up at the top of the pole. There you will find a statue of the so-called Immaculata, the immaculate Virgin Mary, standing on the Crescent and the Earth. When you look down a little bit lower, notice the side planks. On them are the statues of four patrons who were to protect the city against the plague. And don't forget to look for a niche in which the statue of St. Rosalie lies peacefully, which is another important protector of this malignant disease.

However, the story of this monument did not close in the seventeenth century, but it is written continuously further. Over the long centuries, the pillar has passed through a series of transformations and fates. In the year one thousand nine hundred seventy-nine, this monument obtained the official status of monument protection, underlining its extraordinary importance for the Czech cultural heritage. A little later, in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety-two, a major event took place. The original historical sculptures were then replaced by faithful copies, which were created by experienced academic sculptors, including names such as Jaroslav Ignác Šternberk, Čestmír Mudruňka, Ivo Hamáček and Pavel Míka, for the sake of rescue and against the Destruction of the Weather. With this monument is thus connected a number of generations of artists and restoreers who have taken care to make its message last for future generations.

When you think about what this column has experienced, you realize it's not just a cold piece of stone, it's a witness to human hope in the hardest moments. The inhabitants of Litoměřice have put all their former and faith in a better tomorrow into its construction. Every sight of the figures of the saints on the plains reminds us how much our ancestors valued each day won over a deadly disease.

We now invite you to further explore our beautiful city. Take a walk around the surrounding square, see the historical atmosphere of Litoměřice and discover other clues that people have left over the centuries. Thank you for listening to our audio guide, we wish you a wonderful experience from the tour and goodbye.