Holy Savior with Cosmas and Damian, Religious statue group on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic.
This statue group shows Jesus Christ positioned centrally, flanked by two saints holding vessels that symbolize healing and medicine. The sandstone figures stand on the bridge's north side, their forms weathered by centuries but still clearly visible.
Prague's medical faculty commissioned sculptor Jan Oldrich Mayer to create this work in 1709 as a statement of their academic values. The piece underwent major restoration in the early 2000s to ensure its survival for future generations.
The statue group reflects how faith and medicine were inseparable in the minds of Prague's medieval scholars and healers. You can see how the saints are presented as protectors of those who suffered from illness.
The statue group sits on Charles Bridge and is easily accessible as you walk across, positioned where foot traffic naturally allows for viewing. The best views come from pausing along the bridge's main path rather than rushing through.
The saints hold vessels inscribed with Latin words connecting them to ancient medical authorities, showing how Prague's scholars traced their knowledge back to classical times. These inscriptions have faded over time but reveal the deep link between medieval medicine and the ancient world.
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