Lost in thought, do you ever wonder about the silent guardians watching over Würzburg? Look up to discover one such sentinel: the Hausmadonna. Not just any depiction of the Virgin Mary, the Hausmadonna stands as a protector. This Hausmadonna is a special type of Marian image. You’ll find these images at house corners or above portals. They also appear on churches, public buildings, and city gates.
Würzburg is known for its many Hausmadonnen. In fact, it was once called a city of a thousand Madonnas. And the region of Franconia, where Würzburg is located, was known as Madonnenland. The Hausmadonna we see here represents a deep tradition.
Most Hausmadonnen appeared during the Counter-Reformation. Artists like Antonio Bossi and Ignaz Günther created new versions. These images became common in areas like Würzburg and Southern Germany. The Hausmadonna is more than art. It reflects religious devotion.
Here at Dominikanerplatz 4 stands a “Schlangentöter-Madonna”. This translates to Serpent-Slayer Madonna. This sculpture shows Mary defeating a serpent. This is a powerful symbol. It represents good overcoming evil. The Hausmadonna Dominikanerplatz is officially listed as a historic building.
The original sculpture faced environmental damage. In 1993, it was removed. Restorers gave the Hausmadonna a safe place in the Würzburg Diocesan Museum. Now, an accurate cast stands in its place.
Some attribute this Madonna to Zacharias Juncker. According to Rudolf Edwin Kuhn, it resembles Juncker’s style. He believes it dates back to the early 17th century. Karl Kolb says that Zacharias Juncker the Elder created the Schlangentöter-Madonna in 1660.
Take a closer look at the Hausmadonna. Notice the rich detail in the niche. The Madonna is brightly colored. The sculpture itself is made of sandstone. It is an example of Baroque art from the early 18th century.
An inscription accompanies the Hausmadonna. It reads: “Du unbefleckte / Mutter / Bitt für uns.” This translates to “You immaculate / Mother / Pray for us.” These words invite passersby to seek Mary’s intercession.
Hausmadonnen have been a subject of research since the 1920s. Würzburg alone has around 200 Hausmadonnen. They are a significant part of the city’s art history. One of the most important Hausmadonnen in Würzburg is a Mondsichelmadonna. Jakob van der Auwera created it around 1713.
As you leave this place, remember the Hausmadonna. Think of it as a symbol of faith. Remember it as a testament to Würzburg’s rich history.