Mariensäule (Statue of Our Lady), Dusseldorf

The Statue of Our Lady (Mariensaule) in Dusseldorf is an enduring symbol of faith, standing proudly in Carlstadt’s Maxplatz. Built in 1873 after years of opposition from Protestant Prussian authorities, this statue marks the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed in 1854 by Pope Pius IX. Created by Gottfried Renn from a model by Anton Josef Reiss, this monument became Dusseldorf's sole 19th-century religious structure to survive the devastation of World War II, a true symbol of resilience.

The statue rests atop a neo-Romanesque column with intricate features. Its square pedestal contains arched niches with statues of the prophets Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. Halfway up the column, a Latin inscription, "Holy Mary, conceived without original sin, pray for us'', divides the shaft into two arabesque-patterned sections. The capital is adorned with symbolic figures representing the four Evangelists and decorated with acanthus leaves and angel busts.

Atop the column stands the serene figure of Mary Immaculata, framed by a crescent moon at her feet and a star-filled halo surrounding her head. Her hands are clasped in a gesture of mercy, evoking peace and reverence, especially striking when illuminated by sunlight. This Marian column, set amidst a garden of roses and often visited by those seeking solace, remains a beloved site of quiet reflection and a testament to the city’s spiritual history.