St. Mary's plague column, Baroque plague monument in Republic Square, Plzeň, Czech Republic
St. Mary's plague column is a Baroque monument in the Republic Square featuring intricately carved saint statues and a gilded Madonna figure at its top. The structure sits on sandstone steps and stands approximately 14 meters tall.
The monument was built in 1681 by residents to mark the end of a severe plague epidemic that struck the city. A marble plaque with a gilded inscription records major restoration work that the community funded in 1890 and 1931.
The column displays eight saint statues including St. Wenceslas and St. Barbara, representing protection against disease and misfortune. These figures show how people expressed their faith in divine protection during times of hardship.
The monument sits in the heart of Republic Square next to the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. The location is easy to reach on foot and offers many places to stop for refreshment or a meal.
Among the eight saints, Saint Rosalie stands out as an unusual choice, as she was primarily venerated in southern Italian regions, revealing the city's far-reaching religious connections. This surprising saint underscores how local plague monuments reflected broader spiritual networks of the era.
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