Maria column, Baroque monument in Upper Square, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
The Marienpestsäule is a baroque column rising approximately 35 meters high in Olomouc's Upper Square. The structure features the statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by various saints and allegorical figures carved in ornate detail.
The monument was built between 1716 and 1722 following a devastating plague epidemic that struck the city. Its construction served as an act of thanksgiving and remembrance for surviving that crisis.
The column expresses the city's deep devotion to Mary and the saints through baroque religious art and symbolism. It remains a place where visitors can observe how faith shaped the visual landscape of 18th-century Olomouc.
The monument stands freely in the center of the main square and is easily accessible from all sides. The surrounding area offers cafes, shops, and other attractions that make it simple to combine a visit with other activities.
The original monument was demolished in 1958, but its complete reconstruction and reinstatement did not occur until 1993. This restoration reestablished it as a central meeting point and photography spot for the city.
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