Horváth M. Ferenc (szerk.): Vác The heart of the Danube Bend. A historical guide for residents and globetrotters (Vác, 2009)
Tartalom
SIGHTSEEING 215 The monuments in public places have been renovated recently. Professional restoration and preservation have remedied the problems from the point of view of both townscape and iconography. The figure of the saints can be identified by their clothes and the accompanying objects. In certain historic situations the appearance of some obscure helping saints and a unique way of their representation was quite frequent. For example, in the course of rebuilding the Catholic Vác and refurbishing the churches, the domi nant themes commissioned by the inhabitants were the victory over the Turks, the fight against the Reformation, and the desire to avoid disasters, wars and epidemics.This is why certain figures and topics recur. The Holy Trinity column opposite the Piarist church in the middle of the small square is a work of European significance. It was built with the financial aid of several people between 1750-1755; it was consecrated by Prebend Ferenc Würth, who may have been the main patron as well. The sandstone sculpture group was erected in gratitude for the ending of the plague epidemic and to beg for the avoidance of another break-out of the Black Death. We do not know for certain whether it was created by the notable sculptor and stone-cutter Leopold Anton Conti. The triangular pedestal displays the arms of Bishop Althann and the coats of arms of the town which, in accordance with the prevalent situation, consisted of two parts, Bishop's Town and Chapter's Town. The main figure on both is the Virgin Mary with the infant, the former is holding a lily, the latter is raising a sceptre. The Holy Trinity is on top of the construction; Mary Immaculate and the statues of the patrons on several tiers are underneath it: the figures of Bonaventure, Nepomuk and Florian are | St Bonaventure The coat of arms of the town of Bishop's Vác The coat of arms of the town of Chapter's Vác The presentation of the Holy Trinity on the top of the statue high up, while Sebastian, Roch and Great Konstantin are below them. Aloysius Gonzaga and Francis Xavier have a separate pedestal. Rosalie lying in the niche in the pedestal is a new statue, the original one disappeared. Contemporary rumour had it that the statue of St Joseph of Kalazant above the entrance of the church was also meant to be placed on the column but the parties concerned could not agree upon the arrangement of the saints. This might have been the reason why they placed the statue of the founder of their order higher than any other figures on the column. The square used to be a fish and poultry market with crafts- and tradesmen all around it. The headquarters of The Blessed Virgin Mary (Immaculate) St John of Nepomuk
