Holy Trinity Column in Olomouc

* This name is listed on the World Heritage List. ª The region is classified by UNESCO.

The 35 meter high Baroque Trinity Column ( tschech. Sloupsko Nejsvětější Trojice ) was built from 1716 to 1754 in the Moravian town of Olomouc in gratitude for the extinction of the plague of 1716. In 2000, the column was taken under the reference number 859 in the UNESCO list of world cultural and natural heritage of mankind.

History

The plan for the establishment of a plague column in the Upper Square in Olomouc, was first built in 1716, goes back to the stonemason Wenzel Render. After his death the works of Franz Thoneck, Johann Wenzel Rokický and Augustin Scholtz continued.

The sculptures were first performed by Phillip Sattler and after his death Andreas Zahner. The gilded statue group of the Trinity on the top of the column was created by the goldsmith Simon Forstner. Thus the construction of the column exclusively Olomouc artists were involved.

The solemn consecration of the column on which the Bohemian Queen Maria Theresa and whose husband Franz Stephan of Lorraine took part, was held on September 9, 1754.

In 1758, during the siege of the city by the Prussians, the Holy Trinity Column was damaged by artillery fire. Because today reminds the golden replica of a cannon ball at the top of the column.

Architecture

The Holy Trinity Column was built with three height levels on a circular platform with a diameter of about 15 meters. The column is decorated with the reliefs of the 12 Apostles and the theological virtues and 18 life-size figures of saints, including the most revered in the Czech Republic Johannes Nepomuk, Adalbert of Prague and Wenceslas of Bohemia as well as the St. Cyril and Methodius.

At the top of the column there is a gilded representation of the Trinity and including the Archangel Michael. Another gilded statue group at the front of the column represents the Assumption

After the founding of UNESCO for the award of World Heritage title, the Plague Column one of the most extraordinary examples of the climax of the Central European Baroque in the form of " Olomouc Baroque " dar.

Gallery

Historical view of the Holy Trinity Column

Golden replica of a cannon ball

Statue of John of Nepomuk