The Statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Netolice

On Masaryk Square in Netolice, right next to the local church, stands a Baroque statue of St. John of Nepomuk – one of the smaller yet worthwhile landmarks of this South Bohemian town. It belongs to a large family of roadside and town-square statues of this Bohemian saint, erected across the Czech lands throughout the 18th century.

Who was John of Nepomuk?

John of Nepomuk (also called John of Pomuk) was a 14th-century Bohemian clergyman, canon and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Prague. He came into conflict with King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia – according to tradition, because of his loyalty to Archbishop Jan of Jenštejn during a dispute with the crown. That loyalty cost him his life: he was executed by being thrown into the Vltava river and drowned. This manner of death later made him the patron saint invoked against floods and drowning, and his image – wearing a biretta, a surplice and a cloak with a fur collar, holding a cross – became one of the most recognizable religious figures across Bohemia, Moravia and much of Central Europe.

What does the Netolice statue look like?

The statue rests on a hexagonal pedestal with a balustrade; the corner posts of the balustrade are topped with small cone finials, and the balustrade is left open on one side. On top of the base sits a strongly profiled cornice slab, which carries the figure of the saint, shown leaning slightly to the right. He is dressed in a surplice, a rochet and a cloak with a fur collar, wears a biretta, and has a bearded face. A cross rests on his bent right arm, held in place by his left hand.

The front wall of the pedestal bears a Latin chronogram inscription, from which the construction date is read as the year 1765. The wording honors the saint as patron of the homeland and intercessor in times of need, and identifies the statue as a votive work commissioned by its founders. Both the figure and the base are carved from medium- to coarse-grained sandstone, a material typical of outdoor Baroque sculpture in this part of Bohemia.

Why is it worth a stop?

The monument stands on the upper part of the square, directly next to the church, making it a natural stop on any walk through Netolice's historic centre. It is a modest but authentic trace of Baroque civic piety: statues like this one were usually commissioned by townspeople or guilds as an expression of gratitude for protection from misfortune, often specifically tied to floods or other natural disasters. As in hundreds of other Czech towns and villages, the figure served both a religious and a civic purpose – a visible sign that the community cared for its traditions and its public space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly does the statue stand? On the upper part of Masaryk Square in Netolice, next to the church.

How old is it? The chronogram inscription on the pedestal points to the year 1765.

What is it made of? Sandstone – both the figure of the saint and the balustraded pedestal beneath it.

Who does the statue depict? St. John of Nepomuk, a Bohemian clergyman and martyr venerated as patron saint against floods and drowning, traditionally shown in a surplice, a fur-collared cloak and a biretta, holding a cross.

Is the monument protected as a historic landmark? Yes, the statue and its pedestal are listed in the Czech national heritage register (Památkový katalog).