“It was a time full of emotions” – demolition of Marian column recalled 100 years later

This Saturday marks exactly 100 years since the destruction of one of Prague’s then best-known landmarks, a Marian column on Old Town Square. The monumental Baroque structure was built in 1650 in gratitude for the end of the Thirty Year’s War. But more than 250 years later, it was torn down by an angry mob, which saw it as a symbol of the Habsburg takeover of the Czech lands.

Photo: Public Domain

The 14-metre Marian column, which was once one of Prague’s most imposing monuments, was unveiled in 1652 as a symbol of gratitude for successful defence of the city against the Swedish Military in 1648, at the end of the Thirty Years’ War.

More than 250 years later, on November 3, 1918, it was toppled by an angry mob which considered the monument to be anti-Czech, and believed that it stood there for defeat at the battle of Bílá Hora and centuries of resultant Habsburg oppression.

Photographer Eugen Kukla is a member of a group that is lobbying to have the Marian column rebuilt on the Square:

“Tearing down the column happened at a time of great social and political turmoil, just five days after the establishment of Czechoslovakia, and the time was filled with emotions.

“But I should note that among the targets was not only the column but also the baroque statues on Charles Bridge. Only the intervention of military forces prevented the crowd from pulling them down. So it was a time full of emotions and hysteria.”

The monument was felled by Prague firemen, under the supervision of anarchist, writer and bohemian František Sauer, who Kukla says later deeply regretted his actions.

Photo: Public Domain

Since 1990, the Association for the Renewal of the Marian column has been lobbying at the Prague Council to have it replaced by a copy, but the plan has been repeatedly rejected. Eugen Kukla explains why he would like to see the column back on the square:

“For me there is no particular political or religious reason. For me the prime reason is architectural and urbanistic. The column was extremely beautiful and it is simply missing from the square. For me this is one of the possible steps to revive the centre of the city.

“It is like bringing back the point of gravity to the square which is now in bad state of disrepair. And there is also the aspect of reconciliation between the Protestant and Roman Catholic Church.”

The destruction of the Marian column will be marked by a gathering on the Old Town Square on Saturday. A mass for the renewal of the column will be celebrated at the Church of Our Lady before Týn. Following the mass there will be a procession to a replica of a statue of the Virgin Mary, which once adorned the Baroque monument.