Sorrowful Rosary 1, Olomouc [EN]
The statues of the Sorrowful Rosary, which are now part of the Dominican monastery and St. Michael's Church complex, were originally created for another location. The series of statues was commissioned by Olomouc Mayor Jan Kryštof Dimbter. Written records from 1735 document his intention to erect four "columns" on the road to the Church of the Holy Cross, which stood in Olomouc on Nová Street. The sculptures were therefore originally placed along the road from the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians to the Church of the Holy Cross. In addition, a spring flowed beneath the church, and the statues were very impressive in this landscape context with water flowing from a chapel-like well. Dimbter's intention to have the statues erected was based on the last will of his wife Anna.
The author of the statues is most likely the Baroque sculptor Jan Michael Scherhauf (1724–1792), who is known for his work in Moravia. The statues were created in the second third of the 18th century.
Relocation: The statues were later moved to their current location at St. Michael's Church. To this day, they form an integral part of the Dominican monastery complex and, due to their art-historical value, are listed in the Central Register of Immovable Cultural Monuments.
Expert Advisor: Iva OralkovaThe Sorrowful Rosary sculpture depicts the five mysteries of the Sorrowful Rosary, i.e., the key moments of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, known as the Passion. Although it is a set of four sculptures, they represent five main themes. The individual depictions have the following meanings:
1. Christ on the Mount of Olives: Depicts Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prays before his arrest and comes to terms with his impending suffering. This moment symbolizes anguish and surrender to God's will.
2. The Flagellation of Christ: Depicts Jesus being cruelly whipped on Pilate's orders, which was a common but extremely humiliating punishment at the time. The sculpture emphasizes physical suffering and pain.
3. The Crowning with Thorns: Depicts the moment when Jesus is humiliated by soldiers who place a crown of thorns on his head and mock him. This mystery symbolizes both mental and physical suffering and public contempt.
4. Carrying the Cross: This depicts Jesus' arduous journey with the cross to Golgotha. The sculpture shows the enormous weight of the cross and Jesus' physical exhaustion.
5. Crucifixion: Although the Crucifixion itself is not part of the sculpture cycle, it is the fifth and final mystery of the Sorrowful Rosary, and the entire cycle leads up to it.
The work has a deep religious and meditative meaning. For believers, it was and is a way to immerse themselves in contemplation of Christ's suffering through art. The original placement of the sculptures along the path evoked a sense of journeying with Christ on his final journey.
Narrator: Jaroslav Krejci
Production: Milan Kyr
Script: Sandra Prochazkova
Director: Ondrej Sovik
Camera: Jakub K.
Editor: Ondrej Sovik
Sound: Matej Novak
In connection with the project we have started a YouTube channel of Pamatky dnes and a Facebook profile of Pamatky Dnes.cz.
