Imagine, if you will, Buda after the recapture in 1692. The Black Death stalks the city. The Mária-oszlop stands here as a testament to faith. It marks a vow made in the face of devastation.
This is the Mária-oszlop. It is a statue of the Virgin Mary on a column. It stands in the heart of Krisztinaváros. This small square holds an intimate atmosphere.
Let’s delve into the story. The plague devastated Hungary several times. It raged from the Middle Ages until the Early Modern Period. After Buda’s recapture the Black Death was rampant. It was especially bad in Buda and Pest. Wounded soldiers returning from Belgrade carried the disease.
Mátyás Janisch was a godly citizen of Buda. He amassed significant wealth through diligence. Janisch vowed to erect a statue of Mary. He would give a part of his wealth to this cause. Janisch is likely the same as Matthias Janosch. He was a city official mentioned in council minutes.
The Mária-oszlop’s statement links to the plague. This is like many contemporary religious monuments. The glass master intended to give thanks for healing. It could have been for his loved ones or himself.
The Immaculata statue follows specific iconography. It shows the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. A star crown adorns her head. Her hands are clasped in prayer. She stands above a snake whose head she tramples.
The statue didn’t originally stand here. It stood near today’s Alkotás Street. This was in the area of Magyar jakobinusok Square. It remained there for about 150 years. The construction of the southern railway changed the area. The old tranquility disappeared by the mid-19th century.
In 1855, Guido Karátsonyi and Ferenc Pflüger financed its relocation. The Immaculata statue was moved next to the parish church in Krisztina Square. The original Baroque column was replaced then. A more classicist Egyptian papyriform capital was used.
Lajos Németh connects the site to a vision. He refers to the apparition of Mary in 1495. Antonio Bonfini wrote about it. Miklós a servant heard a roar. He saw the Virgin Mary descending. She headed for Buda with her son. This event took place on December 8. It is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
By the mid-1920s the statue’s condition worsened. It was decided to move it to a museum. The copy of the statue was made by Antal Fischer. It became a worthy replacement for the ancient work. The original is in the Budapest History Museum. It can be viewed in the Kiscelli Museum.
The statue deteriorated due to weather. Previous unprofessional restorations also played a role. The surface had been reworked with an angle grinder. This left deep imprints. Isotopic measurements confirmed the limestone’s origin. The right arm was a World War II addition. The restorer completely redesigned it.
The statue’s head has a brass crown-like halo. There may have been an older, larger crown. This is based on a hole found in the statue’s neck.
The Mária-oszlop has been restored. It stands here. It is a symbol of faith. It recalls a vow made during a time of suffering. Look closely at the details. It is a testament to history and art. The Mária-oszlop has a rich past. It continues to watch over Krisztinaváros.