Maria column in Valtice

The Marian Column in Valtice is a white, early Baroque plague column standing on the town's main square, náměstí Svobody, directly in front of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. For anyone visiting Valtice — a small town best known for its Liechtenstein family residence and nearby castle — the column is one of the first landmarks encountered on the square and a natural starting point for exploring the historic centre.

Why was the column built?

The monument was commissioned by Prince Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein as a votive offering following the second wave of plague that struck the town in the 17th century. Plague columns were erected across many towns of Central Europe during this period, both as thanks for the epidemic's end and as a plea for future protection. Valtice was no exception, and the princely commission also underlined the Liechtenstein family's role as owners and patrons of the town.

Who designed it, and when was it built?

Construction took place between 1680 and 1690. The column is the work of Mathias Gunst, a sculptor active in Vienna and part of the artistic circles connected to the Habsburg court and aristocracy of the time. The choice of a Viennese master was no coincidence — the Liechtensteins maintained close ties with Vienna and regularly brought artists from the capital to work on their residences, including the nearby Valtice castle.

What does the column depict?

At the top of the central shaft stands a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, which gives the monument its Marian character and name. At the corners of the pedestal below stand four statues of patron saints: St. Sebastian, St. Roch, St. Ignatius and St. Charles Borromeo. This selection is deliberate — Sebastian and Roch are traditional saints invoked against plague, directly linking the column's iconography to its original votive purpose.

Why is it worth seeing?

The column stands right next to the parish church, forming a compact architectural ensemble — the square, the church and the monument can all be taken in from a single vantage point. It also offers a good opportunity, during a walk around Valtice, to contrast this piece of Baroque religious sculpture with the nearby castle, the main reason most visitors come to town. For those interested in regional history, the column is a tangible trace of the epidemics that repeatedly struck Central Europe in the 17th century, and of how local aristocratic families responded to such crises through religious foundations.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the column stand? On Valtice's main square, náměstí Svobody, in front of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Who commissioned the column, and why? Prince Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein, as thanks after the town's second plague epidemic subsided.

When was it built? Between 1680 and 1690.

Who sculpted the statues? The Viennese sculptor Mathias Gunst.

Which figures decorate the column? The Immaculate Virgin Mary at the top, with St. Sebastian, St. Roch, St. Ignatius and St. Charles Borromeo at the base.

Is this the only column of its kind in the region? Plague columns are a common feature of Central European towns from this era, but the Valtice column stands out for its direct connection to the Liechtenstein family, the princely house that also owned the nearby castle.