Maria column (Lomnice)

The Marian Column in Lomnice is a Baroque votive monument standing on the main square of Lomnice (Lomnice u Tišnova), a small town in the South Moravian Region, in the Brno-venkov district, roughly 7 km north of Tišnov. Location records for the monument sometimes point to nearby villages, but its geographic coordinates confirm the square in Lomnice as the actual site.

Why was a column built on the square in Lomnice?

The monument was commissioned by Count František Gabriel Serényi, owner of the local estate, who as early as the 1660s wanted to give Lomnice a representative architectural setting — the column was meant to form part of a grand approach leading to the Serényi family castle and to underline the town's status as the seat of the family's estate. At its core, though, the column is a votive monument of thanks: it was raised in gratitude for Lomnice having been spared by an outbreak of plague that devastated many other Moravian towns during that period.

When was the column completed?

Construction, stretching from the original plans of the mid-17th century, was not finished until 1710. In the late 20th century the monument underwent a thorough restoration, carried out between 1998 and 1999, which brought it back close to its original appearance.

What is the column made of, and what does it look like?

The builders used shell limestone brought all the way from the area around Vienna, a choice of material that reflects the importance the founder placed on the project. The composition rests on a massive stone base shaped to resemble a natural rocky outcrop. Its lower section carries a depiction of the tree of knowledge, which in the upper part gives way to a shaft wrapped in clouds and cherub heads. The whole structure is crowned by a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon, with a halo of twelve stars above her head.

Who are the figures placed around the column?

Around the base, set on separate stone plinths, stand six statues of saints: Saint Vitus, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch, Saint Florian, and Saint John of Nepomuk. The choice of these particular saints is no coincidence — most of them were traditionally invoked for protection against plague, fire, and other calamities, reinforcing the monument's votive purpose.

Is the column worth seeing while in Lomnice?

Standing right at the heart of the town, on the main square, the column naturally fits into a short walk around Lomnice, whether the main reason for a visit is the Serényi family castle or another local attraction. Listed as a protected cultural monument of the Czech Republic, it is a well-preserved example of Baroque votive sculpture in Moravia and a landmark that is hard to miss.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the Marian column from Lomnice stand? On the main square of Lomnice (Lomnice u Tišnova), in the South Moravian Region, Brno-venkov district, about 7 km north of Tišnov.

Who funded the column? Count František Gabriel Serényi, owner of the local estate, who wanted to give Lomnice a representative character befitting a family seat.

When was the column built? Plans date back to the 1660s, but construction was only completed in 1710. It was restored between 1998 and 1999.

Which figures stand around the column? Six statues of saints on individual plinths: Saint Vitus, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch, Saint Florian, and Saint John of Nepomuk.

What material was the column made from? Shell limestone brought from the area around Vienna.