Marian column in Jaroměř

The Marian Column in Jaroměř stands as the centrepiece of Náměstí Československé armády, the town's main square in the Czech Republic's Náchod district – one of the most valuable examples of mature Baroque sculpture in Eastern Bohemia, commissioned by the townspeople themselves and carried out by the workshop of one of the era's greatest sculptors.

Who created the column, and when?

The design belongs to Matyáš Bernard Braun, one of the leading sculptors of Czech Baroque, whose ties to Jaroměř were far from accidental – he settled in the town in 1719 after marrying Maria Elizabeth Miseliusová, the daughter of a local merchant. That personal connection to the town is what led to this particular local commission. Braun devised the composition, sketches and models, while the actual stonework was carried out by his workshop collaborators, Jan and Řehoř Thény, working directly on site in Jaroměř. Construction ran from 1723 to 1727: the column was nearly finished as early as 1724, after which it was painted white, treated with linseed oil, partially gilded, and fitted with a wrought-iron railing before being formally consecrated in 1727.

Why did the people of Jaroměř build this column?

The initiative came from the citizens of Jaroměř themselves, who commissioned the work from Braun in 1721 to honour the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary – the Immaculata. The project cost 1,321 gold coins, most of which was raised through voluntary donations from local townspeople. Braun, already tied to the town by marriage, is said to have charged less than his usual fee for the commission, underscoring its personal, community-rooted character.

What does the column look like, and how big is it?

The Marian Column rises to a height of 15.6 metres and is enclosed by a hexagonal railing measuring 26.7 metres in circumference. The sculptural ensemble, featuring a figure of the Virgin Mary along with statues of saints, displays the rich, dynamic decorative style characteristic of Braun's workshop – a combination of expressive form and technical precision that specialists rank among the finest surviving examples of mature Baroque sculpture in this part of the Czech Republic.

Are the statues visible today the originals?

Not entirely. In the 1990s, the original sculptures on the column were replaced with faithful copies in order to protect the historic pieces from further weather damage. The originals are now housed in Bastion No. 1 of the Josefov Fortress, the neighbouring fortified part of the same urban area. The column as a whole is legally protected as a cultural monument.

Where exactly is the column located?

The Marian Column dominates Náměstí Československé armády, Jaroměř's main square, clearly visible from most points across the square and serving as a natural landmark for anyone exploring the town's historic centre.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Marian Column in Jaroměř? The composition, sketches and models were created by Matyáš Bernard Braun, while the stonework itself was carried out by his workshop collaborators Jan and Řehoř Thény, working on site in Jaroměř.

When was the column built? Work took place between 1723 and 1727. The column was nearly complete by 1724, and it was formally consecrated in 1727.

Why was the column built in Jaroměř specifically? Local citizens commissioned it in 1721 to honour the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Braun's personal connection to the town, where he had lived since 1719 after marrying a local merchant's daughter, also played a role.

Are the statues on the column original? No – in the 1990s they were replaced with faithful copies. The original sculptures are preserved in Bastion No. 1 of the Josefov Fortress.

How much did the column cost to build? 1,321 gold coins, funded mainly through voluntary donations from the residents of Jaroměř.