Saint Norbert, Wenceslaus and Sigismund, Religious statues on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
The statues of Saints Norbert, Wenceslaus and Sigismund form a sandstone sculptural group on the north side of the Charles Bridge, carved by Josef Max in 1853. Saint Sigismund stands on the left, Norbert of Xanten in the middle, and Wenceslaus of Bohemia on the right, all on a single pedestal.
Strahov Monastery's abbot Jeronym Zeidler commissioned these sculptures to replace earlier versions destroyed during Prussian attacks. The replacements were installed in 1853 as part of the bridge's restoration.
The group was paid for by Jeroným Zeidler, abbot of Strahov Monastery, whose Latin inscription calls Norbert a patron of the Kingdom of Bohemia and records that the statues were placed "for the third time" in 1853. Wenceslaus is titled martyr, prince and patron of Bohemia, "the grace and consolation of the land".
These sculptures are positioned on the north side of Charles Bridge between Prague Castle and Old Town Square, visible as you cross on foot. Stop briefly to observe the details, as the bridge moves steadily with pedestrian traffic.
The group was commissioned by Jeronym Zeidler, abbot of Strahov Monastery, and made by Josef Max in 1853. It is the third placement of statues of these three saints on the bridge, as the inscription beneath them records.
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