Trinity Column, Linz
In 1716, the pillory, a device used to torture and humiliate offenders and other unfortunates was removed from the Main Square of Linz. It looked like the end of an era in Austrian penology, but no, the pillory was merely moved to the Taubenmarkt to make room for the Trinity Column.
The city of Linz had been lucky in dealing with the fates. It had neatly dodged the last great plague, the Turkish Wars of 1683 and the War of the Spanish Succession of 1704. Foreign invasions had fizzled out and in 1712, a major fire had done the same. The Emperor, the estates and the people were grateful.
A memorial totem was needed and what better place to put it but the Main Square of the thankful city. The Holy Trinity Column was created by Salzburg stonemason Sebastian Stumpfegger as designed by Antonio Beduzzi. It is almost 66 feet (20 meters) high. It is in the Baroque style, made of white Untersberg marble.
On the base of the twisting ornate column, on three sides, there are panels of coats of arms that symbolize the earthly trinity of Emperor, City and estates. The pedestal holds the three plague saints Sebastian, Karl Borromeo, and Florian. On the tippy-top of the column, the gilded Father, Son and Holy Ghost hold sway.
Saint Maria Immaculata stands on a crescent moon on the column, surrounded by playful, ecstatic cherubs. All-in-all, an unforgettable "thank you" monument.
The city of Linz had been lucky in dealing with the fates. It had neatly dodged the last great plague, the Turkish Wars of 1683 and the War of the Spanish Succession of 1704. Foreign invasions had fizzled out and in 1712, a major fire had done the same. The Emperor, the estates and the people were grateful.
A memorial totem was needed and what better place to put it but the Main Square of the thankful city. The Holy Trinity Column was created by Salzburg stonemason Sebastian Stumpfegger as designed by Antonio Beduzzi. It is almost 66 feet (20 meters) high. It is in the Baroque style, made of white Untersberg marble.
On the base of the twisting ornate column, on three sides, there are panels of coats of arms that symbolize the earthly trinity of Emperor, City and estates. The pedestal holds the three plague saints Sebastian, Karl Borromeo, and Florian. On the tippy-top of the column, the gilded Father, Son and Holy Ghost hold sway.
Saint Maria Immaculata stands on a crescent moon on the column, surrounded by playful, ecstatic cherubs. All-in-all, an unforgettable "thank you" monument.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Linz. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Trinity Column on Map
Sight Name: Trinity Column
Sight Location: Linz, Austria (See walking tours in Linz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Linz, Austria (See walking tours in Linz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Linz, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Linz
Creating your own self-guided walk in Linz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Linz Introduction Walking Tour
The Romans called it Lentia. It was, from its founding, a Roman city. Straddling the River Danube, it connected vital trading routes to Poland, Bohemia and Italy.
In 799 Count Gerald, Prefect of Ostland and Charlemagne's brother-in-law, obtained tenure of Saint Martin's Church with its fortified "castrum." The location is described for the first time as "Linz." In... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In 799 Count Gerald, Prefect of Ostland and Charlemagne's brother-in-law, obtained tenure of Saint Martin's Church with its fortified "castrum." The location is described for the first time as "Linz." In... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Hitler's Linz Walking Tour
The town of Linz went down in history as the place where Adolf Hitler spent his early years, from 1898 to 1907. The Hitler family moved here when he was just a little boy, and for the rest of his life Adolf Hitler considered Linz to be his hometown. He loved this place, declaring Linz 鈥淔眉hrerstadt鈥� (the F眉hrer city) in 1937, and even envisioned extensive architectural plans of turning it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles