The column was financed by the local town council and private donors as an act of thanksgiving for the end of the 1713 plague.
Sculptor František Baugut, responsible for the column, was also a prolific carver known for his work on the local Sedlec Ossuary.
The base of the monument serves as a pedestal for eight distinct sandstone statues depicting various patron saints.
The column is a classic example of a 'Plague Column' (Morový sloup), a common architectural feature in Central European towns built to invoke divine protection.
It survived significant urban transformations in Kutná Hora, maintaining its original 18th-century appearance throughout the industrialization of the region.
The Plague Column in Kutná Hora is a highly decorative Baroque Marian column constructed between 1713 and 1715. It was erected to commemorate the victims of the 1713 plague epidemic that devastated the town. Designed by sculptor František Baugut, the structure features a base adorned with statues of saints, including St. Wenceslas and St. Vitus. The central column is topped with a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. It is situated on the Šultysova street in the historic center of the town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monument represents the town's period of recovery and religious devotion in the early 18th century. Its intricate stone carvings reflect the high artistic standards of Bohemian Baroque workshops.
From the sidewalk across the street, using the historic buildings of Šultysova as a background.
Combine your visit with a walking tour of the nearby St. Barbara’s Church, as they are part of the same historical district.
Visit during the early morning to capture the intricate details of the statues without the interference of crowds or parked vehicles.
Take time to examine the faces and attributes of the individual statues, as they represent different patron saints associated with health and protection.
Do not mistake this for the Holy Trinity Column, which is located in a different square.
