Hl. Florian

3D Model

Statue of Saint Florian at the Marktstiege in Mistelbach. The figure dates from the first half of the 18th century.

Saint Florian is one of the best-known martyrs of late antiquity and is still revered today, above all as the patron saint of firefighters. Born in the 3rd century in the Roman province of Noricum (present-day Austria), Florian served as an officer in the Roman army. When many believers were arrested during the persecution of Christians, he courageously stood up for them – a move that ultimately led to his own death.

According to tradition, Florian was arrested around 304 AD and, despite torture, was not forced to renounce his faith. He was eventually thrown into the Enns River with a millstone around his neck and drowned. Soon after, a lively cult developed, and his remains were later buried in St. Florian near Linz.