Socha Panny Marie (Velká Bukovina) Statue

Welcome to Chvalkovice, the part called Big Bukovina. Right now, you're facing one of the most important art treasures in this place. In front of you is the statue of the Virgin Mary, which with its presence fills the whole village with peace and nobility. The first impression that radiates from it is typical of the period of the high baroque, when it was an expression of deep emotions, movement and spiritual victory. Take a look at this life-sized figure that holds a little Jesus body in his arms. It's an image of maternal love and at the same time of celestial power, which is to attract you to reflect and smile.

Now let's take a deeper look at how this beautiful building came into being and how its path led to us. This statue is not just a random addition to the landscape, but the work of the master of his field. It was created by Jiří František Pacák, which was one of the best sculptors of his time. The first mention of this work can be found already in the year of twenty-seven hundred thirty-one, when it appears in the notes on the expenses of the famous Matthias Bernard Braun. It is a fascinating idea that such great artists were interested in this work at the time of their creation. The journey of the statue itself to the Great Bukovina took several years because it was carried here only in the year seven hundred forty-two. Since then, it serves as a spiritual center of the community and a reminder of faith.

Now pay attention to the specific details that you see right in front of you. Look carefully at the bottom of the statue. The whole object is built on a richly divided three-piece pedestal made from sandstone. Notice how this stone is worked to support the entire composition. If you look even closer at this pedestal, you'll see the carved family sign, the coat of arms. It belongs to František Antonín Špork, who was a man of great influence and tasteful sense of art.

Now, if you transfer your view above the pedestal, you will see the Virgin Mary herself. Notice it's not on the ground, but it's placed on a big ball. This sphere in the artistic expression of that time symbolizes the whole world. Look at all that is attached to this sphere. Here you will see the little heads of the angels who accompany the Virgin Mary in her glory. And notice also one very important symbolic detail, which is a snake with an apple. This element refers to victory over sin and evil, which makes the Virgin Mary the victor. The entire composition of rough-grained sandstone thus creates a dynamic whole where the celestial sphere meets the earthly.

The key figure, without which this statue might not be standing here today, was František Antonín Špork. He was a nobleman who supported the flourishing of baroque art in our regions. It is his coat of arms on the plinth that tells us the story of beneficence and the desire to leave a mark of beauty that will survive centuries. It's a reminder of the time when it was invested in things that were meant to elevate the spirit and the eyes of every bystander.

You might be interested in one thing that makes this place a little secret. This statue has not been in Chvalkovice since the beginning. Her journey was very diverse and has been moved several times in the past. Before she found her home in Big Bukovina, she was in Bethlehem or Bokouš, for example. Imagine all the people who looked at her in other landscapes, and all the roads she had to go through to stand before you today. It's a fascinating idea that a stone painting can travel from one place to another and bring its history with it.

To make the statue look so beautiful today, it had to go through several repairs. The first major renovation took place in a thousand and eight hundred and fifty, which was at a time when the styles and the perception of beauty were already changing. The last major care of this sandstone gem was carried out in the year of a thousand nine hundred ninety-five, namely the work of Antonín Wagner. Thanks to this care we can still admire the details that Jiří František Pacák created almost three years ago.

Now enjoy a moment of silence and look at the entire composition again. Feel how light is reflected from the surface of the sandstone and how harmoniously the characters of the angels, the balls and the Virgin Mary themselves fit together. It is a work that combines craftsmanship, deep symbolism and dramatic history of moving and renovating.

Thank you for spending a moment with us at this beautiful monument. We hope that this short story has enriched you and that you now see more than just a stone in this statue. We invite you to explore the surroundings and explore other hidden corners of the region. We wish you a pleasant continued journey and a beautiful day spent in discovering our shared cultural values. Goodbye.