Maria column in Bělá pod Bezdězem

The Marian column in Bělá pod Bezdězem is a Baroque monument standing on the town's main square, one of the few landmarks of its kind in the region to survive in largely unaltered form since the late 17th century. It is not a crowd-drawing attraction, but a quiet landmark at the heart of a small Czech town — one that rewards anyone interested in the history of plague epidemics and local devotion.

Where did the column come from?

The monument was erected in 1681 on the initiative of Count Arnošt Josef of Waldstein (Ernst Joseph von Wallenstein), owner of the surrounding estates. It was a votive foundation — an expression of gratitude for the town's deliverance from a plague epidemic, a recurring threat across Central Europe at the time. Plague columns of this kind were raised in many Bohemian towns as thanks for survival and as a plea for continued protection from disease, and the Bělá column fits squarely into that tradition.

What does the column look like?

The structure rests on a stone base originally made up of three steps; a fourth was added during a park renovation in 2012. On top of this base stands a square, prismatic pedestal, whose walls carry four inscriptions commemorating the foundation and its circumstances. From the pedestal rises the column proper, with a profiled plinth, a smooth shaft, and a profiled pseudo-Corinthian capital. At the very top stands the statue of Mary, the central element of the whole composition.

Is the statue on top original?

Not entirely. The first major repair of the column took place in 1931, funded by the local archdeacon and carried out by local sculptor Antonín Pokorný. A more significant change came during the most recent major restoration in 2008: the original Baroque statue was removed from the column and moved to the lobby of the town hall, where it is protected from further weathering. In its place, a faithful copy made in the workshop of Tomáš Vondruška now stands atop the column.

Where exactly does the column stand?

The monument is located in the park on Masaryk Square (Masarykovo náměstí), the central, representative part of Bělá pod Bezdězem. This is a typical location for this kind of Baroque foundation — the town's main square was the natural place to erect monuments meant to serve, and be seen by, the whole community.

Why is it worth seeing?

The Marian column is more than a decorative feature of the square — it is a record of a specific moment in the town's history, when an epidemic genuinely threatened its residents, and its passing was considered a mercy worth commemorating permanently. For anyone touring the wider Máchův kraj region, known for its lakes and Bezděz Castle, the column makes a natural stop, combining Baroque art history, local religious tradition, and a tangible record of a struggle against infectious disease from nearly three and a half centuries ago.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Marian column in Bělá pod Bezdězem built? In 1681, founded by Count Arnošt Josef of Waldstein.

Why was the column erected? As thanks for the town's deliverance from a plague epidemic — it is a typical "plague column."

Is the statue on top original? No — the original Baroque statue was moved to the town hall in 2008, and the column now bears a copy made in the workshop of Tomáš Vondruška.

Where in town does the column stand? In the park on Masaryk Square, in the center of Bělá pod Bezdězem.