Sousoší Nejsvětější Trojice (Ústí nad Orlicí) Statue

Welcome to this beautiful monument. Right now you're standing in Ústí nad Orlicí and you have the opportunity to observe one of the most important spiritual works in this city. Before we go into a deep investigation, let us just pause for a moment, soak up the atmosphere of this place and just watch. In front of your eyes is the statue of the Holy Trinity. It's a work that carries fragments of ancient times and a silent voice of history that tries to speak through sandstone. Feel the weight of time and peace that radiates this place. It's a moment when you can connect with the past that took place in this place decades ago. To understand why this sculpture is so exceptional, we must return together to the year one thousand eight hundred fifty-six. That was the year this work was first born into the world and began its journey. It was created by people whose names must be remembered today, so that their work will not be forgotten. It was Ignatz Reifs and his wife Barbora Reifs. Together, as partners in life and in this creative act, they donated this sculpture to the city. At that time, in the middle of the nineteenth century, art was promoted by a style we call late classicism. This style seeks harmony, balance and nobility, which is what you can feel in this sandstone work. Each cut into stone, every line you see here, bears a reflection of this effort for perfection and order. Now I want to ask you to start looking at the sculpture as a whole, but gradually, from earth to heaven. Your eyes are likely to hit the bottom first, the low base. It's a solid foundation that holds this whole demanding structure and gives it stability. There's a pillar above him. If you approach it, notice the subtle details. On this pillar is depicted a relief, a carved painting that depicts St. Ignatius. It's a detail that requires attention and patience when you look at it, because it captures the spiritual nature of this character. Let's look up now. There is another important part above the pillar. You will see the picture of the Virgin Mary Immaculata. Her character brings a sense of purity and nobility to the whole sculpture. And then when your eyes reach the very top, you will see the most important thing. There, at the highest point, sits the figures of Christ and God the Father. Above them lies the Holy Spirit, which is depicted in the halo, that is, in a shining circle of light that symbolizes the divine presence and light. This whole piece is carved out of sandstone. This material is fascinating with its texture and colour, which changes depending on how light hits it. Feel how light breaks on the edges of sandstone figures and how this stone holds both heat and shadow. You might think this place seems very quiet, almost lonely. And you're right. This sculpture does not have its original place. At the time of its inception, in the year one thousand eight hundred fifty-six, it stood in T. G. Masaryk Street. It was there, at a house with a description of a hundred and sixteen. It was part of the everyday life of the people who passed through here, part of urban activity and everyday affairs. But history turns and things change. In the year one thousand nine hundred eighty-seven there was a great change. The statue has been moved. It had a new journey and settled here, at the former cemetery at the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This change took away his urban noise, but it gave him this quiet, meditation character that you're feeling right now. It's like a sculpture found its new home in peace and quiet. This piece of history is very valuable to us. Already in the year one thousand nine hundred ninety this sculpture officially became a real cultural monument of the Czech Republic. That means we have to treat him like a precious treasure that belongs to all of us. And that's what the experts took care of in two thousand and fourteen. There was a whole restaurant at the time. It wasn't just about cleaning up the stone from time and dust, it was about replenishing the parts that were missing over the years. Thanks to this meticulous work, you can now look at a work that looks like what its creators might have imagined more than 60 years ago. It is proof that even though time continues to flow, we can preserve beauty for future generations. Look at him for a while. Feel the connection between the people who built it and the people who admire it today. Feel the work of the hands that has turned into this permanent symbol of faith and art. I hope this short journey over time has brought you some peace and new prospects for this place. Please continue to search Ústí nad Orlicí and discover other hidden secrets of this city. Thank you for the moment.