Pestsäule (Plague Column): A Symbol of Hope in the Heart of Vienna
The Pestsäule, or Plague Column, located in Vienna’s Graben, commemorates the end of the Great Plague of 1679. Built on the promise made by Emperor Leopold I, this Baroque monument symbolizes Vienna’s resilience during a devastating time. It began as a simple wooden devotional column and over years of redesigns it evolved into a theatrical High Baroque ensemble. Several prominent artists, including Matthias Rauchmiller and Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, contributed to its creation.
The top shows the Holy Trinity; below, a cloud pyramid with angels and putti rises toward it. At the lower level, an allegory of Faith overcomes the Plague, and Leopold I is shown kneeling in prayer. The Pestsäule (Plague Column) serves as a religious monument and a political statement, emphasizing Leopold’s role as a divinely chosen leader.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pestsäule (Plague Column) became an unofficial site for small acts of remembrance and solidarity. Locals placed candles at the base of the column, turning it into a quiet memorial for those affected by the virus. People left candles, children’s drawings, and prayer notes with messages of hope and remembrance.
The Pestsäule (Plague Column), already a symbol of survival from a past plague, became a focal point for people looking to express their emotions during an unprecedented time.
