socha svaté Máří Magdaleny Statue

Welcome to the hillside of the hill Špičák, in the picturesque landscape south of the village Větrov in the amazing Frýdlant outturn. Right now, you are standing in a place that breathes through history and calm, and before your eyes is one of the most remarkable monuments of our region. Look at the sandstone statue of St. Mary Magdalena. As you stand in the silence of the forest and nature, let the first impression of this precious work, which quietly tells the stories of ancient centuries.

Let's dive into the depths of history together and look at how this extraordinary work came into being. The sandstone sculpture itself dates from the first third of the nineteenth century and was made by an unknown author. It is one of the best quality work of its kind in the whole wide area. But her story is made up of several different chapters that took place over time. When you look closely, notice that the statue is set on an older baroque quadratic plinth. This base is much older than the figure itself, because it was created between 17 and 17 hundred and 50. Sometime later, a newer sandstone sculpture was mounted on this older Baroque base. For decades, she resisted the effects of the weather, until at the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries she had had a very important and professional reconstruction that helped restore her dignity. Thanks to its unique value, it was officially declared a cultural monument in the year eight and twenty, thereby locking the chest of its historical heritage forever for future generations.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and the details that you can observe right in front of you. The figure of a saint is raised in a standing form in a so-called contrast post. This means that the weight of her body lies on one leg, which creates a natural, relaxed yet noble attitude. The right side has this sandstone lady leaning against the rock. There are several symbolic objects on this rock, which belong to the depiction of St. Mary Magdalena. You see here an open book, reprimand, cross and also a skull that symbolizes the permeability of earthly life and deep penance. The front side of the older Baroque pedestal is decorated with a large plastic relief, which represents an impressive scene.

Stop for a moment at the human destinies associated with this place. An important historical personality whose name appears in connection with this place is Vanesa Trostová. People like her, in their own way, formed the spiritual and cultural landscape of the Frydlantians, in which faith, art and reverence to the ancestors mingled.

Looking at the statue, I'm sure you can think of a lot of questions, because this place has secrets and interesting things that don't stop fascinating. As you know, this is a classic sandstone work by an unknown author dating back to the first third of the nineteenth century. But when you look at the sculpture in more detail, you notice something very conspicuous and a little mysterious. The statue lacks a head and ends with hands or palms. Why is that? Did it happen due to the tooth of time, unknown vandalism, or perhaps it was the intention of the creator or the damage during a twisted history? This remains veiled by a secret that gives this place a strange, almost mystical atmosphere. Imagine this figure, without face and palm, looking down into the valley for two hundred years, watching the world change around him without words.

We hope that stopping at this extraordinary monument has enriched you and brought you a moment of peace and thought. When you continue your journey, don't forget to explore other parts of nature and discover the entire Větrov and its surroundings. Thank you for listening to our audio guide, we wish you a wonderful rest of the day and a happy journey on your next tour of history. Goodbye.