Holy Trinity Column

High Baroque sandstone Holy Trinity column

Location: In Tržiště (Market) Street below Zámecká věž (Castle Tower) in the historical centre of Karlovy Vary
Period of construction: Between 1715 and 1716
Architect: Oswald Josef Wenda
Official opening: 1716
Accessibility: Freely accessible

How to get there

Route 1:        You may reach the Holy Trinity Column, if you walk from the Hot Spring in the spa centre across Jánský most (Jánský Bridge) to Tržiště (Market) Street where you will climb up the stairs straight to the column. This short walk is approximately 150 metres long and takes about 5 minutes.

Route 2:        If you decide for the second route, travel by Bus No. 2 from “Tržnice” city bus terminal to the "Divadelní náměstí" (Theatre Square) terminal stop. From there, follow Route 1 to Tržiště (Market) Street and to the plague column.

History of the monument

The High Baroque column with a sculptural group representing the Holy Trinity was erected between the years 1715 and 1716 by renowned regional sculptor Oswald Josef Wenda from Žlutice by the Old Town Hall in the square known as Tržiště (Market) in the historical centre of Karlovy Vary. The column was built as a symbol of gratitude that the spa town had been spared from an outbreak of plague in 1713. The column was dedicated in 1716 by then Karlsbad priest František Böhm.

The main motif of the sandstone plague column is the Coronation of Mary of the Immaculate Conception by the Holy Trinity. The group of statues stands on a sphere around which the snake of the hereditary sin is wrapped. The column base comprises of a triangular pedestal decorated with the statues of bishops Saint Adalbert and Saint Augustine and the statue of Saint Florian, the patron of firemen. The total height of the column is 9 metres.

Even though the dominant plague column erected opposite the parish Church of Saint Mary Magdalene was gradually dwarfed by the construction of the Hot Spring Colonnade and other modifications of its surroundings, it still remains an exquisite example of architecture of the High Baroque Period.

Location

Mapa hotelu

Holy Trinity Column


About Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary is absolutely unique in the number of curative hot springs in the world.

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