Sloup se sochou Panny Marie Svatohorské

Sloup se sochou Panny Marie Svatohorské (Column with the Statue of Our Lady of Svatá Hora) stands in the lower part of Masarykovo náměstí in Božkov, a part of the town of Mnichovice in the Prague-East district, Central Bohemian Region. It is a Baroque sandstone column, protected as a cultural monument, with the carved date 1739 preserved on the inner side of the stone railing that surrounds it.

What does the column look like?

The column rests on a prismatic, four-sided pedestal decorated with recessed panels resembling mirrors and topped with a profiled cornice, standing on a square stone base reinforced with iron ties. On top of the pedestal stands a statue of the crowned Virgin Mary, dressed in a long robe and cloak, holding the naked, likewise crowned Child on her arm — she supports him with her left arm, and he is shown in profile. An apple rests at the figure's feet. The whole ensemble is enclosed by an original square stone railing: prismatic pillars with recessed panels stand at the corners and in the middle of each side, while the sections between them are filled with balusters decorated with ribbon ornament and volutes.

Where does the title "Svatohorská" come from?

The epithet "Svatohorská" refers to the image of the Virgin Mary venerated at the shrine of Svatá Hora near Příbram, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Czech Republic. Columns and statues bearing this dedication were erected in many towns and villages as a local expression of the same Marian devotion, without necessarily having a direct connection to the shrine itself.

When was it built and restored?

The date 1739, carved into the inner side of the surrounding railing, marks the column's year of construction. A plaque on the lower part of the pedestal records a restoration carried out in 1992, funded by donations from local residents with a contribution from the municipality — evidence that the community has actively maintained the monument for well over two centuries.

Where exactly is it located?

The column stands in the lower part of Masarykovo náměstí in Božkov, part of Mnichovice, a small town in the Prague-East district of the Central Bohemian Region, on the route between Prague and Benešov. As a fixture of the town square, it is easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the town centre.

Is it worth a visit?

This is a modest but genuine piece of Baroque small-town square furnishing — one of the details that gives Mnichovice its historical character, even though the town itself lies off the region's main tourist routes. It's worth pairing a short stop at the column with a walk around the square and the immediate surroundings.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does Sloup se sochou Panny Marie Svatohorské stand? In the lower part of Masarykovo náměstí in Božkov, part of the town of Mnichovice, Prague-East district, Central Bohemian Region.

What material is the column made of? Sandstone — both the pedestal with the statue and the surrounding railing.

When was the column built? The date 1739 is carved into the inner side of the stone railing that surrounds it.

Has the column ever been restored? Yes, in 1992, funded by donations from local residents with a contribution from the municipality, as recorded on a plaque on the pedestal.

What does the epithet "Svatohorská" mean? It refers to the image of the Virgin Mary venerated at the shrine of Svatá Hora near Příbram, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Czech Republic.

Is the monument legally protected? Yes, the column is listed as a cultural monument in the Czech monument register (Památkový katalog).