Statue of John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge, Bronze statue on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic.
The Statue of John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge in Prague is a bronze representation showing the saint in clerical dress with a biretta, holding a crucifix, and accompanied by five bronze stars. The base features a detailed bronze relief depicting the saint's martyrdom.
Sculptor Jan Brokoff created this bronze work in 1683 as the first religious sculpture placed on Charles Bridge during the Baroque period. Its installation marked the start of a tradition that later expanded to include an entire collection of saint figures on the bridge.
Saint John of Nepomuk appears here as the patron of bridges and silence, and people touch the statue and base reliefs to seek blessing and good fortune. This practice shows how the figure remains a living part of devotion for visitors crossing the bridge.
The statue sits on the north side of Charles Bridge and is easy to reach while crossing. The relief on the base is within arm's reach and shows visible wear from countless touches by visitors over the centuries.
The saint is connected to a remarkable story: he died in 1393 after refusing to break the confession seal for the king, making him a symbol of protection and loyalty. This powerful history explains why people have sought blessings here for centuries.
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