Maria column in Broumov

The Marian Column in Broumov is a Baroque monument standing on the town's main square, one of the most recognizable landmarks in this corner of the Czech Republic near the Polish border. At first glance it looks like a typical central European plague or thanksgiving column, but its history includes an unusual dispute over which way the statue of the Virgin Mary should actually face.

Where does the column stand?

The monument occupies the center of Mírové náměstí (Peace Square), Broumov's main market square in the northeastern Czech Republic, right by the Polish border. It's a natural landmark for anyone exploring the old town — the square is lined with historic townhouses, and the Benedictine monastery complex, closely tied to the column's history, rises nearby.

Who commissioned it, and when?

The column was erected in 1706 on the initiative of Otmar Zinke, abbot of the nearby Broumov Benedictine monastery. It was a gift to the town, meant to underline the bond between the monastery and its citizens and the spiritual protection the Benedictines extended over the region. The sculptural work was carried out by the Baroque sculptor Jan Brokoff and his workshop, well known for religious commissions across this part of Central Europe.

Why was the original statue replaced?

The most striking episode in the column's history concerns a dispute over the appearance of its central figure. Brokoff's first statue of the Madonna and Child faced the monastery, with its back turned to most of the town — and the townspeople were not pleased. Abbot Zinke responded by commissioning a new, larger figure: a double-sided Madonna that looks toward both the monastery and the town at once. This version was carved by sculptor Gottfried Bössewetter, and it is this "conciliatory" statue that still crowns the column today.

What do the saints on the column represent?

The column's composition unfolds across several levels. The lower niches hold statues of saints tied to the Benedictine tradition: Saint Scholastica, Saint Benedict, Saint Günther (Vintíř), and Saint Procopius. The corner pedestals carry figures of patron saints important to the wider region and to Bohemia: Saint Wenceslas, Saint Adalbert, Saint Margaret, and Saint Hedwig. The overall layout — a tall central shaft rising from an elaborate multi-tiered base — follows the pattern typical of Baroque Marian columns raised as votive or thanksgiving monuments, though in Broumov's case the emphasis falls squarely on the relationship between the monastery and the town.

Is it worth seeing today?

More than three centuries on, the column has kept its Baroque character, thanks to several rounds of restoration carried out over the years. For visitors to Broumov, it's an essential stop on any walk across the main square — best paired with a visit to the nearby Benedictine monastery, since the two are inseparably linked through the story of the column's creation.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Marian Column in Broumov built? In 1706, commissioned by Abbot Otmar Zinke.

Who sculpted the figures on the column? The original statues were made by Jan Brokoff and his workshop; the current, double-sided Madonna was carved by Gottfried Bössewetter.

Why was the statue of the Virgin Mary replaced? The first version faced only the monastery, with its back to the town, which upset local residents — it was replaced by a two-sided figure visible from both directions.

Which saints appear on the column? The lower niches show Saint Scholastica, Saint Benedict, Saint Günther (Vintíř), and Saint Procopius; the corner pedestals show Saint Wenceslas, Saint Adalbert, Saint Margaret, and Saint Hedwig.

Where exactly is the column located? On Mírové náměstí, Broumov's main square, close to the Benedictine monastery complex.