The column was originally built in 1681 but was replaced by a more elaborate Baroque version in 1743.
The sculptor Jožef Straub is credited with the main figures on the current 1743 iteration.
The monument features a prominent statue of St. Florian, who was traditionally invoked to protect cities from fires, alongside figures of St. Sebastian and St. Roch, who were plague saints.
It is positioned on the main square, which historically served as the city's commercial and judicial hub.
The pillar includes a depiction of the Holy Trinity, a common motif in Central European plague columns.
The Plague Column in Maribor, also known as the St. Florian Column, is a prominent Baroque monument located in the center of Glavni trg. Erected in 1681, it serves as a votive monument commemorating the end of a devastating plague epidemic in the late 17th century. The sculpture is crafted from sandstone and features a central pillar topped with a figure of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by statues of various saints. It was commissioned by the city magistrates as a sign of gratitude for the city's survival. The monument has undergone several restorations to preserve the original sandstone masonry from environmental weathering. It stands as a focal point of the historic Old Town architecture.
From the corner of the square looking toward the Town Hall, allowing the column to frame the architecture in the background.
Visit during the morning to capture the light on the Baroque carvings before the square becomes crowded.
Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Maribor Town Hall (Rotovž) located on the same square.
Look closely at the base of the column to identify the individual saints and their associated attributes.
Do not treat the base of the column as a bench; it is a protected historic monument.
