Trojstranný obelisk v Riegrových sadech na Vinohradech Monument

Welcome to the Rieger orchards. You have just stopped in a quiet part of this vast green space where history meets the daily rest of the people of Vinohrad. In front of your eyes is something very special and very noble. You are standing right in front of a sandstone monument, which, in its slender form, attracts the looks of anyone who stops in this park. It's a tripartite obelisk, a monumental work that carries a deep story about love, loss and eternal memory. Before we go into his detailed viewing, let us just for a moment perceive his presence in this environment. Feel how its sandstone color differs from the surrounding green trees and how its geometric shape works in the natural environment of the park.

This monument is not just an ordinary stone pillar. It's an expression of deep human emotion. To understand why this object is standing here, we have to go back to the early nineteenth century. The whole story begins in 1810. In that year, there was an event that had forever changed the life of a noble family. Brigitta Taafeová Canalová died. Her departure left in the heart of her husband, Count Joseph Emanuel Canal of Malabaila, such a void that could not be filled with anything but a constant reminder of her existence. The Count has decided that her name must not be forgotten. He wanted to create something that would be time-resistant, something that would stand as a witness to her beauty and her life together.

However, the construction of this obelisk itself did not arise immediately after its death. The process of making and implementing this work took some time. It is estimated that this triangular obelisk was erected around 1840. This means that when you watch it today, you are looking at a work that was created at a time when there was an art movement called Classicism in all of Europe and here. This period placed great emphasis on order, harmony, balance and purity of shapes. And these are the properties you can perceive on this monument in every millimeter of it. Classicism sought to return to the ideals of ancient times, to the perfection of geometry and to make art seem calm and dignified. And it is this calm and dignity that radiates this sandstone pillar.

Now please pay attention to the architecture itself and what you see right in front of you. Look at its shape. Unlike many other monuments that are usually quadrilateral or round, this obelisk is unique to its triangular base and triangular body. It is a very unconventional solution, which gives the whole piece dynamic and unexpected lightness. The obelisk takes the form of a slender needle, which elegantly dials up to the sky. This whole object is standing on a solid, block plinth. This is a solid base for the whole vertical structure and gives stability.

If you approach it, you may notice the amazing work of a sculptor. This whole monument is made of sandstone using a mopping method. This means that every detail, every edge and every line was created manually, using tools that required great patience and precision. Sandstone is a material that is beautiful and easy to work with but is also sensitive to the will of time and elements. Yet he stands here and reminds us of his fortress. Now pay attention to the most beautiful part of the base. On this block plinth are decorated reliefs. If you look closer, you'll see a picture of a bird family. These fine, carved shapes of birds give the whole monument a human to gentle dimension. This family of birds can be seen as a symbol of life, family, and perhaps as a metaphor for Brigitta herself and her loved ones who stayed behind. It is a fascinating contrast between the strict geometry of the entire obelisk and the tenderness of these animal figures.

Looking at this monument, we cannot avoid the idea of the character of Count Joseph Emanuel Canal from Malabaila. Imagine his decision. At a time when technology was not as advanced as today, he had to organize the production of such a work, seek out the best craftsmen and ensure that his vision was fulfilled exactly as he felt in his heart. So this obelisk is not only a work of art in the age of Classicism, but above all it is a monumental expression of personal sadness and devotion. Every notch in the sandstone, every plane of the triangular substate carries the trace of his will to preserve his wife's memory.

There is also a certain mystery in this place that you should be aware of. Why the triangle? Why choose such an unusual number of pages? In art, a triangle can symbolize many things - it can mean unity, it can represent a combination of three components, or it can simply be a reflection of the search for new, unprecedented beauty at a time when everything else seemed long ago defined. This geometric anomaly makes you stop and think, which is exactly what such a monument should want from a visitor.

Now that you've studied the history, architecture, and the emotions that this monument carries, I suggest you stop for a while and just observe silently how light changes on its sandstone surface. Each angle of impact of the sun's paper may highlight another part of the relief or another edge of this slender needle. It's the moment when history becomes a living part of your present moment.

Thank you for spending your time in this small but important place in the heart of the Vinohrad. We hope this story of love and classical beauty has enriched you. Please continue to walk the Rieger set, discover the next corner of this park and enjoy the peace this place offers. Goodbye.