Marian Column

Marian Column in Broumov

The dominant feature of Mírové Square in Broumov is the Baroque Marian Column, one of the city’s most significant monuments. Its origins date back to 1706, when it was commissioned by Broumov abbot Otmar Zinke as a gift to the town. The work was entrusted to the renowned Baroque sculptor Jan Brokoff and his workshop. The column was originally topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary by Brokoff, but this version did not last long. The citizens of Broumov were dissatisfied that the statue faced the monastery and turned its back to the town. At the request of the townspeople, a new statue was created – a double-sided Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, looking both towards the monastery and the town. This statue was made by sculptor Gottfried Bössewetter.

The column is richly articulated and decorated. It stands on a square pedestal with cornices and four niches containing statues of important saints: St. Scholastica (sister of St. Benedict), St. Benedict himself, St. Gunther, and St. Procopius. These figures emphasize Broumov’s spiritual tradition and its connection to the Benedictine order. Around the central column are four more statues of saints, protectors of the land and region – St. Margaret, St. Hedwig, St. Wenceslaus, and St. Adalbert. Their presence recalls not only the Christian roots of the area but also the important symbolism of the town’s protection. The top of the column is crowned with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, forming a striking landmark of the square. The work is not only an artistic masterpiece but also a spiritual symbol, meant to protect the people of Broumov from misfortune and to express their reverence for the Virgin Mary.

Over the centuries, the Marian Column has undergone several restorations. Nevertheless, it has preserved its unique Baroque appearance and today belongs among the most valuable historical monuments of Broumov. Its location in the very center of the square highlights the importance it has had for the town’s life and also recalls the close connection between Broumov and the Benedictine monastery. Thus, the Marian Column remains not only a decorative element of the town’s public space but also a witness to the history, art, and spiritual life of Broumov at the beginning of the 18th century.