Giant Mountains Crowned with New Marian Column
Symbol of Faith and Global Unity Rises Above Czech Peaks
A striking new statue, a Marian Column, has been erected at an impressive altitude of 1,140 meters above sea level in the Giant Mountains, near the St. Francis chapel. The ambitious project required close collaboration with the administrators of the National Park, who reportedly embraced the concept enthusiastically.
Crafting a Sacred Landmark
The statue itself is the creation of artist Jiลรญ Sovinec. It will be mounted atop a stainless steel column anchored into a substantial boulder. This granite stone, found during recent floods, proved exceptionally challenging, requiring three days of drilling. The column’s inscriptions were made by a modern machine in 2023, while the statue employs an ancient casting technique.
“We pushed twelve fragments from stainless steel, molten at 1670 degrees Celsius,” explained Silvester Dฤdek from Precision Cast. “These will then boil on a stainless steel column, which will be set by the statue of the Virgin Mary with Jesus in his arms.”
The design of the Marian Column carries deep symbolism, with the Mother of God representing the Church. Its dignified countenance, complete with a subtle smile, signifies an overcoming of evil. Central to the depiction is the Christ child, marked by a wound in his side, with his hands extended in a gesture symbolizing the cross.
A Symphony of Faith and Film
Beyond the physical monument, the story of the Marian Column of Mountains is also being immortalized in an adventure film documentary, directed by Filip Renฤ. This endeavor is part of a larger global initiative, with four identical sculptures planned. These will be distributed worldwide, each bearing minor variations in the inscription of the word “amen,” symbolizing the four Gospels.
One column will remain in the Giant Mountains. Another is destined for Nazareth, Israel, by September. A third will be installed in Maribor, Slovenia, and the fourth is anticipated to find its home in Syria. The global reach of this project reflects a growing interest in religious and cultural landmarks, with over 1,500 new churches built globally between 2015 and 2020.
The official unveiling ceremony in the Giant Mountains is set for August 15, coinciding with the Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The new Marian artifact will be blessed by the Bishop of Hradec Krรกlovรฉ. Musician and composer Jiลรญ Pavlica has created a central song for a symphony based on the theme of the Marian Column, with the full symphony expected to be completed later.