Socha P. Marie Karlovské Statue
The statue of the Virgin Mary Karlovská is a Baroque sandstone statue from 1720, located in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Charles in Prague's New Town. This work is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and originally served as an orientation point for pilgrims.
The statue was made by the Saxon sculptor Matěj Václav Jäckel to order the then governor of Count Černín. It was created during the Baroque period, when religious sculpture was dominated in Bohemia with strong emotional expression and foreign artists were active in Prague. 28 gold pieces were paid to make the work.
It is a statue of 210 centimetres high, which served as a model for the painting of the painter John George Heinsch. It is assumed that the statue was polychromed in 1884 and passed through a professional restaurant in 1988.
Originally located in the street Barley against the mouth of Ke Karlov Street, where she was supposed to point the way to the pilgrims. In 1884 it was transferred to Salmovská Street, probably located in a wall east of the house number 1563. In 1982, due to the construction on the property in Salmovska and the demolition of the border wall of the former Jesuit college, it was moved to the yard of house number 505 at St. Ignatius' church.
Since 1990 the statue has been located in the Marian temple in Charles, where it was moved at the request of the Prague City Gallery. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Charles and the Church of St. Ignatius are located in the vicinity of the monument.
The picture of Jan Jiří Heinsch, who served as a model for sculptors, was transferred to the church of St. Apolinar after the abrogation of the monastery in 1785. In 1871 Josef Vojtěch made his faithful copy for the Charles Temple.
This Baroque statue represents a valuable example of Saxon art in Prague and testifies to the ancient pilgrimage tradition of New Town. Her visit to the Karlovsky Temple offers insight into the religious art of the 18th century.
Historical milestones
- 1720
- Made by Matej Václav Jäckel for 28 gold pieces.
- 1884
- Transferring the statue to Salmovská Street.
- 1982
- Transfer to the yard of house No. 505 in the neighbourhood of St. Ignatius church.
- 1990
- A transfer to the Marian temple on Charles.
Architectural development
The statue is made of sandstone and measures 210 cm. It was probably polychromed in 1884 and passed through a restaurant in 1988.
Historical events
In 1720, the statue was made and placed in Ječná Street. In 1884 it was transferred to Salmovská Street. In 1990, at the request of the Prague Gallery, it was moved to the Marian temple in Charles.
Points of interest
- The Baroque sandstone statue from 1720 originally served as a landmark for pilgrims. - The work was made by Saxon sculptor Matěj Václav Jäckel for the price of 28 gold pieces. - The statue is 210 centimeters tall and its shape was determined by the painting of the painter John George Heinsch. - In 1884 it was probably polychrome and in 1988 it passed through a professional restaurant. - Over the years, it has been moved several times, for example from Ječná Street to Salmovská Street and subsequently to the Marian temple on Karlov.
Guide
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome! You're standing in front of one of the most glorious heirlooms of baroque times in our city. Under your feet, the Nové Město spreads, but now your eyes are drawn to this masterpiece - the statue of Our Lady of Charles. Note her distinctive character, which boasts elegant baroque style. Her sandstone body is smoothly processed and radiates with calm dignity. A tall 210 centimeters, the statue greets you with its open hands, as if it would welcome you on the way to the low temple of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Let's look at her history. This statue was made in 1720 by Saxon artist Matìj Václav Jäckel, who created it for only 28 gold pieces. It was a period of religious spirit and hrabě Černín, the then governor, bought this statue as a landmark for pilgrims. The inspiration for her form was the painting of the painter Jan Jiří Heinsch, which adds another layer of artistic depth to the work.
Now pay attention to her details. Note the fine work on the hands and face of the Virgin Mary, which reflects the master skill of Jäckel. Her clothing is elegant and decorated with small details, which adds to her beautiful appearance. The Baroque style clearly manifests itself in complex drappers and elevated expression.
The interesting thing is that the statue has not been placed in its current place since the moment it was made. In 1884 it was transferred to Salmovská Street and later in 1982 it reached the yard of house No. 505, where it stands today. It is fascinating to realize how works of art can be moved and become part of new spatial contexts.
Note also its historical significance. Thanks to Count Černín, who banned it, the statue became not only an artistic monument, but also an important point for local pilgrims and visitors. It's a fascinating connection between art, history and faith.
We wish this review to inspire you to explore the New Town. There are many other beautiful monuments around here waiting for your attention. We hope it will feel like home to you and you will stay with us for a long time. Thank you for your visit and we hope you will return!
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when soft light hits the sandstone surface, which highlights the details of baroque carving. For the best photos we recommend a slightly lateral view, which best captures the sculpture of the work.
The location is available by car and by public transport; check the current connection and parking possibilities in the centre of New Town in the internet search engine.
We recommend taking comfortable shoes for a walk through the historical centre of Prague. We recommend families with children to present the statue as a beautiful stone lady from the Baroque era, which may be an interesting entry into history for children.
Within a short walk within 30 minutes you can visit the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Charles, the Church of St. Ignatius or just walk through the historical centre of New Town.
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
Kostel Nanebevzetí Panny Marie na Karlově, kostel svatého Ignáce, historické centrum Prahy - Nové Město.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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1. The historical centre of Prague - Nové Město, the urban part, offers a beautiful walk between the old buildings. It's the perfect place to start the journey. 2. Church of St. Ignatius, a religious building, represents an important point for lovers of history. This building is very interesting. 3. Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Charles, Church, astounds its size and unique space. It's an important building around here. 4. Socha P. Marie Karlovské, a statue, is the main objective of your tour. This monument represents a work of art.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: In the spring period, the statue of P. Marie Karlovská is brightly lit by sunlight, which is projected on her face and decorated with roses. Flowers in the surrounding area are beginning to bloom, which adds colored gloss to the atmosphere. For a visit it is advisable to arrive early in the morning when the crowd is still little and the sun illuminates the statue from an angle point of view. It is recommended to wear clothes according to temperature because spring weather can be variable.
Summer: In summer the surroundings of the statue of P. Marie Karlovská are full of life and sound of summer fans. The sunlight illuminates the statue and its surroundings, creating an attractive view. Summer is the most visited season, so to avoid crowds it is advisable to visit the memory in the early afternoon. The good idea is to bring sunglasses and face cream because the sun is often overshadowed.
Autumn: In autumn, the statue of P. Marie Karlovské offers views in the flames of leaves that turn into colour shades. The atmosphere is calm and quiet, which allows relaxed tours without too much crowd. It is advisable to visit the memory in the afternoon when the temperature is warmer and the sun is the most beautiful. It is recommended to wear clothes on layers because autumn weather can be cold.
Winter: The winter visit of the statue of P. Marie Karlovská offers a calm and quiet atmosphere where the whole area is covered with snow. In winter, sunlight illuminates the statue in a special way, creating handsome contrasts. The monument is less visited, so it is a good time for a quiet tour. It is recommended to wear warm clothes and shoes with anti-skin soles. Opening hours are shorter, so it's good to come early in the morning.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
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Sources and literature
Photos: J.Broukal / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
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