Cardinal Duka blesses Marian column as supporters and opponents gather on Old Town Square

Cardinal and Archbishop of Prague Dominik Duka blessed the Marian Column on Old Town Square on Saturday, as hundreds of people from the ranks of supporters and opponents of the historic replica gathered on the the square.  The majority of those gathered took part in a public prayer, while others held signs opposing the column nearby. Police were present at the location. Duka’s blessing was preceeded by a service held in the nearby Church of Our Lady before Týn.

The Marian column is considered an important Baroque work of art by its proponents, but opponents see it as a symbol of Habsburg rule and forced catholicization of the country after the 30 Years War. The column was destroyed by a mob 102 years ago, after Czechoslovakia gained independence from the Habsburg Empire, but was reinstated earlier this year.

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