Column of the Virgin Mary, Ravenna

The column of the Virgin Mary (Colonna della Vergine) in Ravenna is considered to be one of the plague pillars found in many European cities. However, the history of the column is not plain since the city is pretty old. This huge gray granite column was placed on one of the city squares in the ancient times when the Roman Empire prospered. In the 17th century, the city was overtaken by the plague epidemic. Devout Catholics prayed to God and the Virgin Mary, and soon the outbreak of the disease stopped. It was decided then to build a monument in gratitude for listening to citizens’ pleas.

In 1659, a marble statue of the Virgin Mary was set on a high pillar in the center of Piazza Duomo. Today the column has an iron fence enclosing it; statue’s white marble head is covered with a gilded crown.

How to get

The column of the Virgin Mary is located on one of the most beautiful squares of Ravenna – Piazza Duomo. The city cathedral nearby houses the Archiepiscopal Museum, Small Museum of Dolls and Toys and Porta Gaza can be found near the square as well. The closest bus stop is called Piazza Kennedy. You can catch the bus № 70 there.