Statue of John of Nepomuk in Přeštice

The Statue of John of Nepomuk in Přeštice stands on the town's main square, named after Masaryk, in a small Czech town within the Plzeň-South district. This Baroque sculpture forms part of a small group of monuments on the square, which includes three additional statues alongside a fountain. The entire ensemble is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic, reflecting its recognized historical value for the local community.

Who commissioned the statue, and when was it made?

The statue was erected in 1707 at the initiative and expense of the local vicar Jacob Xavier Hlávka. Commissioning a monument to Saint John of Nepomuk in a town's central square was a common gesture during the Baroque era, when the saint was widely venerated across Bohemia as a protector against floods and slander. Statues of him were traditionally placed near bridges, rivers, and town squares, making Přeštice's example a fairly typical, though locally significant, instance of this devotional practice.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The monument stands in the northwestern part of the square, directly in front of the town hall building. This placement was far from accidental — positioning the statue near the seat of municipal authority reinforced its role as both a civic landmark and a symbol of spiritual protection over the town. The square in Přeštice continues to serve as the town's principal public space today, and the clustering of several historic monuments in one spot makes it a natural stop for anyone exploring the town's historic center.

What material was used to carve the statue?

The sculpture was carved from sandstone, a material frequently chosen for Baroque religious statuary thanks to its relative ease of carving. At the same time, sandstone is notably vulnerable to weathering and erosion, which is why monuments made from it typically require periodic conservation work to keep their sculptural detail legible over the centuries.

How is the pedestal and overall structure designed?

The statue rests on a low pedestal with a square floor plan, featuring a step on its front side that allows visitors to approach the figure. Above this base rises a two-part superstructure, upon which the figure of the saint itself is set. This combination — a low, stepped foundation topped by a taller, multi-part upper structure — was a common design for Baroque roadside and square statues throughout the Czech lands, ensuring the sculpture remained visually prominent against its surrounding urban backdrop.

Has the statue ever been restored?

Yes, the monument underwent restoration in 2010. Conservation work of this kind is essential for outdoor sandstone sculptures that have stood exposed to the elements for more than three centuries, as it halts the ongoing deterioration of the stone and restores the legibility of carved details that gradually erode under rain, frost, and air pollution.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Statue of John of Nepomuk in Přeštice? The statue dates from 1707, making it over three hundred years old and a representative example of Baroque sculpture.

Who funded the statue's construction? It was commissioned and paid for by the local vicar Jacob Xavier Hlávka.

Where exactly can it be found? The statue stands on Masaryk Square in Přeštice, in the northwestern part of the square, directly in front of the town hall.

What material is the statue made of? It is carved from sandstone, a material traditionally used in Central European Baroque religious sculpture.

Is the statue legally protected as a heritage monument? Yes, along with the other elements of the group on the square (three additional statues and a fountain), it is listed in the Central List of Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic.

When was the statue last restored? The most recent known restoration took place in 2010.