Deliverance from the plague….
No, not the current one. “After the second wave of the Black Death swept through Europe in the 17th century, the survivors burned the bodies, thanked god, and built monumental tributes to their deliverance.” This particular column was erected in Vienna, Austria. “Vienna in 1679 was the perfect place for an epidemic outbreak. The combination of a densely packed population, poor sanitary conditions, and travelers arriving regularly in the city from parts unknown makes the arrival of the plague somewhat unsurprising, but the toll was tremendous. As many as 75,000 people perished and were burned in plague pits in the outskirts of the city, while the imperial family skipped town.
When it was all over, Emperor Leopold I rolled back into town, took some money from the royal coffers and had this monumental celebration of life over death erected - including a not terribly subtle effigy of His Imperial Highness praying for the deliverance of the city.” This plague column was one of several that I saw, but was certainly the grandest and most lavish one. Did we really think another plague would never come? Even with all the medical knowledge and science of today, it seems that we may have taken a step back in time by ignoring the information and lessons of history….
Deliverance from the plague….
No, not the current one. “After the second wave of the Black Death swept through Europe in the 17th century, the survivors burned the bodies, thanked god, and built monumental tributes to their deliverance.” This particular column was erected in Vienna, Austria. “Vienna in 1679 was the perfect place for an epidemic outbreak. The combination of a densely packed population, poor sanitary conditions, and travelers arriving regularly in the city from parts unknown makes the arrival of the plague somewhat unsurprising, but the toll was tremendous. As many as 75,000 people perished and were burned in plague pits in the outskirts of the city, while the imperial family skipped town.
When it was all over, Emperor Leopold I rolled back into town, took some money from the royal coffers and had this monumental celebration of life over death erected - including a not terribly subtle effigy of His Imperial Highness praying for the deliverance of the city.” This plague column was one of several that I saw, but was certainly the grandest and most lavish one. Did we really think another plague would never come? Even with all the medical knowledge and science of today, it seems that we may have taken a step back in time by ignoring the information and lessons of history….