Every larger city in Slovakia boasts a Plague Column. The symbolism of these monuments is truly remarkable. They were built as a celebration of the Virgin Mary, usually on the occasion of the end of a plague or as a gesture of gratitude after overcoming another devastating event. In Prešov, there is a Marian Column,also known as the Trinity Column, located at the former execution site on Hlavná Street. It was erected in 1751 by the Jesuits in memory of the victims of the plague epidemics in 1679 and 1710. The author of the column is J. R. Preigenbuz. Author: J. R. Preigenbuz
You can find it at Legionárov Square. The writer studied theology in Prešov at the college from 1832 to 1834. Among his most famous works are the plays Najdúch (set in Chujava, representing Župčany and Krivošany, which symbolize Prešov) and Frndolína (set in Krivošany, representing Prešov). His other works are also full of references to the realities of Prešov. The memorial was installed in 1942 thanks to the Association of Eastern Slovak Academics. The author of the bust of Jonáš Záborský is Karol Sovánka. In 1963, the bust was declared a National Cultural Monument.
Located in the historic center of the city, not far from St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Neptune Fountain features a statue of Neptune holding a trident. The Neptune Fountain is one of the ten fountains in Prešov and has been standing for over 195 years since 1826. The Neptune Fountain is one of the ten fountains in Prešov and has been standing for over 195 years since 1826. It was created by the Košice sculptor and stonemason Vincent Staviarsky. The fountain was built on the site of a water reservoir that served as a utility water tank. In 1910, it was enhanced with sculptures of amphibians created by the Italian sculptor Angelo di Valentini.
In close proximity to the Neptune Fountain, we can also admire the bronze statue of Empress Sissi. She visited Prešov in 1895 during her journey from Bardejovské Kúpele. Until the beginning of the First Republic, the statue adorned the Delostrelecký lesík (Artillerymen’s Grove), and then it was stored in a depot until 2010. The statue measures just under a meter, with a pedestal of two and a half meters.
The statue of Blessed Pope John Paul II, created by the Košice sculptor Peter Beno, is located outdoors between the Roman Catholic Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas and the Evangelical Church of the Holy Trinity in Prešov. The sculpture depicts the Holy Father in prayer and symbolizes the desire for understanding between the churches, which the Pope expressed during his visit to Prešov on July 2, 1995. The statue measures 2.3 meters and weighs half a ton. The intention was for it not to be too dominant, allowing people to touch it and stand quietly in its presence.
The original statue dates back to 1750 and was created by J. Hartmann. In 1996, this late Baroque statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary was restored by Martin Kútny. Currently, it is located in a restoration workshop, but it usually adorns the area in front of the Roman Catholic Church of the Name of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
On Slanská Street, in the park of St. John Nepomuk , you can admire a late Baroque statue of St. John Nepomuk. He is a martyr of the Catholic Church and one of the patrons of the Czech land. John of Nepomuk was born around 1340 in the village of Pomuk, now known as Nepomuk. He is worshipped as a martyr of the sacrament of confession and a patron against natural disasters and floods (due to the circumstances of his death). His representation can be found in many places, especially on bridges. The cult of St. John Nepomuk is closely associated with Czech Baroque, where he was one of the most prominent saints. He is the patron saint of the Czech Republic and Bavaria.
The statue of a woman in drapery dates back to 1958 and is located on the southern façade of the former Prior department store on Hlavná Street 15. It was created by František Gibala and is a National Cultural Monument.
On Hlavná Street 14, you can find a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary embedded in the main façade of a burgher’s house. It is a Rococo work from 1788, which was restored in 1955.
The bronze dominant feature of Prešov’s pedestrian zone in the historic city center is the statue of the guardian angel, created by academic sculptor Dušan Pončák. He is also the author of the marble relief “Thread of Art” at the Jonáš Záborský Theatre and other sculptures in Prešov. In 2016, he was posthumously awarded Honorary Citizenship for his significant and unique contribution to the field of art and the presentation of Prešov.
Three new drinking fountains have recently adorned Prešov. They were created by academic sculptors Ľubo Purdeš and Jozef Hobor.
Realistic sculptures created by František Gibala in 1943 can be found on Masarykova Street. They include the sculptures of Summer and Winter at the entrance to a bank. In 1977, they were declared a National Cultural Monument.
The Baroque statue is located in the Franciscan Square in the historic center of Prešov. The sandstone artwork has adorned the area in front of the Franciscan Church since the 18th century, precisely since 1733. It was created by Šimon Grimming. Originally, Originally, the corners of the triangular pedestal of the St. Rochus statue featured sculptures of three saints – St. Sebastian, St. Anthony of Padua, , you can admire a late Baroque statue of St. John Nepomuk. At the top, there is a statue of St. Rochus. However, the sandstone sculpture has been damaged over time, so an exact replica was created in 1993. The original sculptures are now in storage, and copies of the saints’ sculptures can be admired on the square.
The horse statue named Premo is an abbreviation of the phrase “Prešovský Morgan” (Prešov Morgan). The sculpture by Michal Kačmár is named after a real horse owned by former mayor Pavel Hagyari. He placed the four-meter monument symbolizing “horsemen” in the park on Hlavná Street, and it later traveled to a ranch in Kúty before returning. Therefore, the statue is quite mobile.
The center of Prešov is also adorned by a 3.3-meter bronze model of the statue of Jesus Christ with a symbolic gesture of open arms, which is a replica of a planned gigantic statue. It weighs approximately one ton, and it was created by Martin Pala. It weighs approximately one ton, and it was created by Martin Pala. According to the plan, a gigantic 33-meter statue of Jesus Christ will soon be erected above Prešov. Including the base, it will reach 39 meters, surpassing the existing statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro. The statue will be made of white concrete and hollow inside, supported by a steel structure.
Other sculptures include the memorial of Ján Fenič on Poľná Street. Many works were created thanks to the international sculpture symposium for the Garden of Art, organized by academic sculptor Jozef Bodnár and the Šariš Gallery in Prešov, which lasted for two years. The symposium was later organized by academic sculptor Ľubomír Purdeš.
On Sunday, April 28, the first World Championship for the best strawberry cake took place in a beautiful social hall in Prešov with the participation of 25 skilled confectioners.
This is how we envision life in Presov. Strawberry City brings energy, flavor, refreshment, joy, and dynamism to the city. The event, Strawberry Night, was exactly about that and was appreciated by thousands of visitors.
We are an independent initiative whose goal is to support life and tourism in the city of Prešov.
2023 © Strawberry City
We are an independent initiative whose goal is to support life and tourism in the city of Prešov.
2023 © Strawberry City
