Maria column in Hradec Králové, Religious column in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

The Maria column is a 19-metre Baroque sandstone monument on Hradec Králové's Great Square, made of light grey stone from the Boháňka quarry near Hořice. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands on a globe atop the column, her head ringed by gilded six-pointed stars, with small angels at her feet. Four saints surround the square pedestal, four more stand on separate bases within a balustrade, and the pedestal carries Latin chronograms and reliefs, including the city's first depiction of its new coat of arms.

The column was built from 1714 to 1717 after the city vowed on 6 November 1713, during a procession to Chrudim, to erect a Marian statue if spared from the plague raging in Bohemia. The pillory in the middle of the Great Square was removed to make way for it. It was consecrated on 24 August 1718 by Bishop Jan Adam Vratislav of Mitrovice, with a contribution from Queen Eleonore Magdalene of Neuburg.

The column bears Mary's name and has shaped the city's religious identity for centuries through its central placement in daily life. People recognize it as a symbol of faith that connects the community to spiritual traditions.

The column stands at a central location in the city that is easy to reach on foot from most parts of town. The surrounding area is well-connected and provides access to other historical sites nearby.

The column combines two distinct meanings: it serves as both a memorial to plague victims and a tribute to the Virgin Mary. This dual purpose makes it a rare example of religious hope expressed during times of disease and suffering.