Saint Vitus, Bronze statue on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic.
Saint Vitus is a bronze statue on Charles Bridge depicting the saint in Roman armor standing above two lions emerging from a cave-like base. The sculpture sits on the northern side of the bridge where visitors can examine the detailed carving from multiple viewpoints.
This sculpture was created in 1714 by the sculptor Ferdinand Brokoff as a donation from Matěj Vojtěch Macht, dean of Prague's Vyšehrad chapter. The work has occupied this spot on the bridge for more than 300 years as part of the site's artistic evolution.
Saint Vitus appears here in Roman armor and represents protection against snake bites, a belief that held importance in local folk devotion for centuries. The figure wears traditional military dress with a princely cap, reflecting the style of earlier centuries.
The statue occupies its original location on Charles Bridge and sits easily within the pedestrian flow of the crossing. Visitors can view the work at any time of day, though different light conditions reveal the details in varying ways.
The lions at the base reference an old legend about how the saint survived after being thrown into a lion pit. This symbolic detail brings the saint's story directly into view for anyone examining the monument.
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