Plague Column, Cesky Krumlov

The centerpiece of Union Square is the Plague Column. At the pinnacle of the column stands a majestic statue of the Virgin Mary, serving as a symbol of hope and protection. Surrounding her are eight statues of saints, each revered as patrons of the town and revered as protectors against the devastating plague.

In the upper row of statues, you'll find the figures of Saint Wenceslas, Saint Vitus, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Judas Thaddeus, forming a powerful spiritual presence overlooking the square. Below them, the lower row features Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Sebastian, Saint Gaetano, and Saint Rochus, further emphasizing the town's unwavering faith in divine intervention during times of plague and adversity.

The exceptional Baroque sculptural decoration adorning the Plague Column is credited to the talented Prague sculptor Matěj Václav Jäckel, who worked tirelessly on this masterpiece between 1714 and 1716.

In 1843, a notable addition was made to the Plague Column with the construction of a stone fountain reservoir. This feature was introduced to replace the earlier Renaissance-style fountain that once graced the center of Union Square. While serving practical purposes, the stone fountain also adds to the square's aesthetic appeal.