Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
great artists for decades to build the monument. Sadly, he died
before its consecration, which occurred in the presence of the
Habsburg ruler, Maria Theresa, the Holy Roman Empress.
The Holy Trinity group on the highest point of the column
features God the Father making a blessing, Christ with a cross sit-
ting on a globe, and the dove in gold (representing the Holy Spirit)
crowning everything. Tumbling with the Trinity, the archangel
Michael—holding his fiery sword and shield—reminds us that
the Church is in a constant struggle with evil. A third of the way
down from the top of the column (past the golden cannonball—
embedded there as a reminder of the 1758 Prussian siege), we see
Mary—the mediator between heavenly and earthly spheres—
carried off by angels during the Assumption.
The bottom third features three reliefs with allegories of the
Christian virtues (Faith, Hope, and Charity), surrounded by six
saints. Four of the saints are closely connected with the life of Jesus
(saints Joachim and Anne—the parents of St. Mary—as well as St.
Joseph and St. John the Baptist) and the other two are the patron
saints of Olomouc (saints Jerome and Lawrence). This particular
arrangement of saints shows that universal faith is often combined
with a distinctly local myth and belief.
It all sits atop a tiny (and rarely open) chapel where Maria
Theresa knelt to pray—devout, yet green with envy. Olomouc had
a plague column grander than Vienna's.
Lower Square (Dolní Náměstí)
—Below the Upper Square
stretches the more workaday Lower Square. Enjoy live music at
the beer terrace or a bite at the fine
Hanácká Hospoda pub (described
in “Eating,” page 241). Find the
communist-era lamppost with
its t w in 1970s speakers. Loca ls
remember growing up with these
mouthpieces of government boast-
ing of successes (“This year, despite
many efforts of sabotage on the part
of certain individuals in ser vice
of imperialist goals, we have sur-
passed the planned output of steel
by 195 percent”); calling people to
action (“There will be no school tomorrow as all will join the farm-
ers in the fields for an abundant harvest”); or quelling disturbances
(“Some citizens may have heard about alien forces in our society
taking advantage of this week's anniversary to spread unrest. This
is to reassure you that the situation is firmly under control and
nothing is happening in Olomouc or in Prague. Nevertheless, for
their own safety, we suggest all citizens stay home”).
