Socha svatého Jana Nepomuckého, Baroque sandstone statue in Bakov nad Jizerou, Czech Republic

The sandstone statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, dated 1731 and probably by Josef Jelínek, stands by the parish church of St Bartholomew in Bakov nad Jizerou. The saint, smaller than life size, is carried on clouds, head raised toward a crucifix, his biretta resting on the cloud; a small angel and a winged head support the base. The six-sided pedestal bears three reliefs of his legend and the date 1731.

The sandstone statue dates from 1731 and was probably carved by Josef Jelínek, who is also credited with the Trinity column unveiled on Bakov's square in 1729. It originally stood outside the town by the road to Mladá Boleslav. In 1926 it was moved to the church of St Bartholomew during construction of the Sokol hall.

The figure depicts Saint John of Nepomuk, the patron of bridges and waterways, who holds an important place in Czech folk devotion. You can see how this saint remains alive in local religious practice.

The statue stands by the parish church of St Bartholomew, not on the square; it was moved here in 1926 when the sokolovna was built. Approach on foot through the church grounds and look at the hexagonal base, whose three front faces carry reliefs of the saint's legend.

The saint's head is bare and his biretta rests on the cloud beside him; the five-star crown is not part of this statue. Look instead at the three reliefs on the pedestal shaft, showing his martyrdom, the queen's confession and his throwing into the Vltava.