A death-dealing cherub stands ready. We are face to face with the Marienssäule. This Marian column marks a monarch’s gratitude. It is gratitude for some significant event. In this case, we travel back to 1645. It was the final phase of the Thirty Years’ War. A Swedish army marched through Lower Austria. They occupied the fortress of Korneuburg near Vienna.
Things looked bad for Emperor Ferdinand III. Appealing to higher powers was his only option. Ferdinand promised a monument to the Virgin Mary. This was to thank her for positive intervention. Fortunately, the Swedish army went in another direction. Habsburg forces even recaptured Korneuburg in 1646. Ferdinand had dodged a bullet.
True to his word, the Emperor had the Marienssäule built. Johann Jakob Pock used marble. The unveiling was in 1647. Pock and his brother also created the main altar in Stephansdom cathedral. The column was inspired by Munich’s Marienssäule. That one also went up in thanks. It was for the city’s avoidance of damage during the war.
Look closely. Much of the Marienssäule is metal not marble. In 1667, Emperor Leopold I replaced the original. He used a bronze version. It now stands in Am Hof. The old marble column went to a friend of the court. It stands on the River Inn in Upper Austria. It is near Wernstein am Inn.
The symbolism is clear. The Virgin Mary stands on top. She is above a speared dragon. Around the base, four Putti deal with a snake, basilisk, lion, and another dragon. These represent heresy, plague, war, and famine.
The Marienssäule still has a soft spot in Viennese hearts. It is the centerpiece of events. Consider the Am Hof Christmas and Easter markets. The Marienssäule has a movie claim to no fame. A scene in The Third Man shows Holly Martins spotting Harry Lime. The chase leads to Am Hof square. Lime disappears. Despite the clear shot, the Marienssäule is missing. A sewer entrance blocks the view.
Erected in 1693, this monument commemorates the end of the Turkish siege of Vienna and honors the Virgin Mary. She is depicted at its pinnacle. Standing tall amidst a lively square, the column is adorned with golden accents that glimmer in the sunlight. This makes it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.
Visitors can admire the craftsmanship. It reflects the Baroque style. The square often hosts events. There is a charming Christmas market during the holiday season. Visitors enjoy local delicacies. The tranquil ambiance is ideal for a stroll. Numerous cafes and shops invite you to indulge in Vienna’s coffee culture.
The Marienssäule was the first religious monument at Am Hof. Leopold I had a new one made. Balthasar Herold cast it in bronze. Carlo Martino Carlone began the base. Carlo Canevale completed it. The new column was slimmer. The figures were more elegant. The bronze figure of Maria Immaculata stands over a dragon. Four armored bronze putti stand on the corners. They fight snake, dragon, basilisk, and lion. They represent pestilence, war, famine, and heresy. Three inscriptions are on the base. Two are from the old column. The third notes the new construction under Leopold I.
The Marienssäule has been the center of religious events. In 1854, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed here. Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Elisabeth attended. In 1939, the column was moved to a cellar. Afterward, it was restored. Cardinal Theodor Innitzer reconsecrated it in 1946.