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.