Standing in the heart of Graben in Vienna, Plague Pillar, Vienna is one of the popular tourist attractions in Vienna. The pillar is a glorious specimen of Baroque architecture. It was Emperor Leopold I who commissioned the pillar in the year 1679 as a part of thanksgiving to the God after the city recovered from the grip of the serious epidemic. He dedicated Plague Pillar, Vienna to Holy Trinity and Nine Choirs of Angels.
The inscription on the Plague Pillar, Vienna reads “a reminder of the divine chastisement of plagues richly deserved by this city”. In the year 1679, the city of Vienna fell into the clutches of serious plagues which claimed the lives of 75, 00 people of Vienna. At this time, the reigning emperor prayed to Goddess to build a lofty tower, which would seem to touch the heaven if the epidemic takes no more lives.
Plague Pillar, Vienna is about 70 feet tall and the first pillar was built in the same year in which the plague took place. However the definitive pillar which exists today was constructed b by Matthias Rauchmiller who began the work on the 1681 and carried on with his work till his death in1686. The tower was ready in the year 1682 and it was completed by Locovico Burnacini.
The huge stone pillar of Plague Pillar, Vienna bears depictions of the Biblical story of Creation, the Plague, Passover, the Last Supper among others. You will also find the allegorical sculptures of Faith escaping the city of the plague. There is statue of the emperor kneeling to offer prayers in front of the Tower and it was the creation Paul Strudel. The statue of Trinity was created by Johann Kilian of Augsburg.
Plague Pillar, Vienna lies on the market place and because of its height can be easily visible from far away places. The place can be easily accessed from different parts of the city. Make sure to visit during your trip to Vienna. The pillar is of special interest to the students of history and architecture.
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