On Am Hof Square, in front of the church, stands a monument - a black matte column with a figure of the Virgin Mary on top and angels at the base. This column is called "Mariensaule" and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who saved Vienna from the Swedish invaders.
They say that when the threat of a Swedish attack became obvious, the Viennese kaiser promised that he would erect a monument to the Virgin Mary if she helped save the city from destruction. And a miracle happened! The Swedish general Torstensson withdrew his troops from Vienna, and the capital of Austria was spared. Kaiser Ferdinand III kept his word - in 1646, the monument he had promised was erected in the square.
That column was made of stone, but in 1667, by order of Ferdinand's son, who had become kaiser, the monument was dismantled and moved to Wernstein, where it remains to this day. And a bronze copy was installed in the square, cast by Balthasar Herold together with Carlo Martino Carlone and Carlo Canevale. By the way, in appearance it is very similar to Munich's Column of the Virgin Mary.
Today, people often arrange dates and friendly meetings by this monument. It is one of the favorite places of both Vienna residents and visitors to the city.
