Munich - Virgin's Column

(Local Name: Mariensäule) In the center of Marien Square rises the Mariensäule (Virgin's Column), erected in 1638 in thanksgiving for the preservation of Munich and Landshut during the Swedish occupation (1632). The red marble column bears a gilded figure of the Virgin as Patroness of Bavaria, with the infant Jesus and a crescent moon, originally carved by Hubert Gerhard for the high altar of the Frauenkirche. The four winged figures of children on the base (probably by Georg Petel) are respectively combating plague, war, famine and heresy.