Mariensäule, Marian column in Marienplatz, Munich, Germany.
The Mariensäule stands in Marienplatz and displays a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary atop a marble column. Four angels at its base battle mythical creatures representing hunger, war, disease, and heresy.
The column was erected in 1638 after Munich withstood Swedish occupation during the Thirty Years' War. It was built as a monument to the city's liberation from that difficult period.
The four bronze angels at the base represent struggles against hunger, war, disease, and heresy that once threatened the city. These figures show what the column meant to people and how they saw Mary's protective role over Munich.
The monument is easily accessible and centrally located on Marienplatz, making it a convenient meeting point. From here visitors can easily explore the old town or get their bearings.
The gilded statue of Mary on top originally dates from 1593 and was first intended for Duke Wilhelm V's tomb before finding its place here. This reuse shows how artworks changed their purpose and location over time.
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