In the heart of Olomouc, a small university town in eastern Czechia, two monumental baroque columns quietly mark centuries of devotion, history and resilience. One of them – the Holy Trinity Column – is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you’re passing through or staying longer, they’re worth stopping for and looking up.

Votive Columns of Olomouc | Colonnes votives d’Olomouc | Votivsäulen von Olmütz | Columnas votivas de Olomouc | Colonne votive di Olomouc | Kolumny wotywne w Ołomuńcu | Mariánské sloupy v Olomouci | Вотивные колонны в Оломоуце

While travelling, you sometimes come across things that seem obvious because you’ve seen something similar somewhere before. However, it’s only when you’re back home and want to find additional information by looking at photos that you discover the item has its own symbolism and was a widely practiced tradition. This is especially true when your last history lesson was a very long time ago. This year in Olomouc (Czechia), I took a closer look at the tradition of erecting votive columns.

What are votive columns?

Votive columns, also known as votive pillars, are religious or symbolic structures that are erected as an expression of gratitude or devotion to a deity or higher power. These columns are typically set up to commemorate a vow or to give thanks for a favor granted, a prayer answered, or a miracle received. The tradition of erecting votive columns has ancient roots and can be found in various cultures and religions around the world. The votive columns themselves vary widely in design and construction. They can range from simple wooden or stone pillars to more elaborate structures adorned with carvings, inscriptions, or religious symbols. In some cases, votive columns may be placed in or near religious sites, such as temples, churches, or shrines. While the specific practices and customs associated with votive columns may vary across cultures and religions, the underlying theme remains a desire to express gratitude and devotion through the creation of a physical structure dedicated to the divine.

In Europe, Marian columns and Holy Trinity columns are distinct forms of religious monuments that flourished in Catholic countries, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. While both share the columnar structure and serve as expressions of faith, they have different emphases in terms of symbolism and purpose.

Marian columns, also known as plague columns, are religious monuments depicting the Virgin Mary at the top. They were often erected in response to the devastating impact of plagues as a gesture of thanksgiving for the end of the plague and as a means of seeking solace and divine protection. The Virgin Mary atop these columns symbolizes hope, intercession, and divine intervention during times of crisis.

Holy Trinity columns, while sharing the columnar structure with Marian columns, serve a broader purpose. They are erected to celebrate the Christian faith and the church, emphasizing the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Holy Trinity columns are manifestations of public faith, affirming the importance of religious devotion in the community.

Examples of both a Marian Column and a Holy Trinity Column may be found in the Czech city of Olomouc.

The Virgin Mary Column

Located at the Lower Square (Dolní náměstí) in Olomouc, the Virgin Mary Column was built between 1716 and 1720. It was erected in gratitude for the protection of the city during the plague. In the 18th century, Olomouc, like many other European cities, faced several devastating plagues. One notable epidemic was the plague that struck in 1713. This outbreak was part of a larger pandemic known as the Great Northern War plague, which occurred during the conflict between the Northern European powers. The column features a statue of the Virgin Mary on a Corinthian column.

Virgin Mary Column located at the Lower Square of Olomouc

Holy Trinity Column

Following the construction of Virgin Mary Column, a much bigger and elaborate column was errected in the Upper Square (Horní náměstí). The Holy Trinity Column was built between 1716 and 1754 not only as an expression of gratitude for the end of the epidemic, but also as a broader expression of religious faith and gratitude within the context of the Counter-Reformation — a period marked by efforts to strengthen Catholicism in response to the Protestant Reformation.

Holy Trinity Column located at the Upper Square of Olomouc

The column is an elaborate Baroque structure designed by the architect Wenzel Render and the sculptor Ondřej Zahner. At its zenith, the column boasts gilded copper sculptures of the Holy Trinity, presided over by the Archangel Gabriel, with the poignant scene of the Assumption of the Virgin beneath.

The base of the column unfolds in three levels, each intricately decorated with statues and reliefs of saints deeply rooted in regional religious heritage. The uppermost level features figures connected to the earthly life of Jesus: Saint Anne, Saint Joachim, Saint Joseph, and Saint John the Baptist, accompanied by Saint Lawrence and Saint Jerome, patrons of the Olomouc town hall chapel. The second tier focuses on saints significant to Moravia and Bohemia, including Saints Cyril and Methodius, pioneers of Christianity in Great Moravia, as well as Saint Blaise, Saint Adalbert of Prague, and Saint John of Nepomuk, prominent figures in Czech Catholic tradition. The lowest level introduces Saint Maurice (patron of Austria), Saint Wenceslas (patron of Bohemia), Saint Florian (protector against disasters), and Saint John of Capistrano, a Franciscan preacher who once spoke in Olomouc. It concludes with Saint Anthony of Padua, linked to the city’s Franciscan monastery, and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of students — a reflection of Olomouc’s academic legacy.

Seeing both columns in Olomouc — the more modest Virgin Mary Column and the grand Holy Trinity Column — helped me notice something I might have overlooked before. These monuments aren’t just decorative relics from the past; they reflect how people once turned to faith during times of crisis, and how entire communities expressed hope, gratitude, and identity in public space.

I’ve probably walked past similar columns in other cities without giving them much thought. But after taking the time to learn more here, I know I’ll look at them differently the next time I come across one — not just as historical objects, but as part of a larger, living tradition that still leaves a mark on the places we visit.