Virgin Mary Column in Racibórz

The Column of the Virgin Mary in Racibórz is a late Baroque monument created between 1725 and 1727 by the Austrian artist Johann Melchior Österreich, commissioned by Karl Ludwig von Gaschin. Built as a votive offering for the city’s deliverance from an epidemic, the column is believed to possess supernatural qualities and is regarded as a symbol of protection for Racibórz. Its history is linked to the will of Maria Elisabeth von Gaschin, who died in 1724, and an agreement with the city council to erect the monument. The column has withstood numerous hardships, including World War II, when 80% of the surrounding buildings were destroyed. It has been renovated multiple times—in 1827, 1850, 1963, and most recently in 1993, when it was cleaned of pollutants and its bindings were replaced to prevent collapse. The latest restoration took place between 2021 and 2022. Made of sandstone, the monument features a three-sided pedestal adorned with carved acanthus decorations and is crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception trampling the serpent of Satan. Richly decorated with heraldic cartouches and cherubs, the base is also embellished with sculptures of three saints: St. Florian, St. Sebastian, and St. Marcellus. The column is a significant cultural landmark in Racibórz and serves as a site where residents pay homage to the Virgin Mary. Intriguingly, the legendary protective power of the column is often associated with tragic events, such as the 1997 flood, sparking local controversies and legends.