Statue of John of Nepomuk nearby the bridge in Dobřív

The statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands at the entrance to a baroque stone bridge over the Klabava river in Dobřív, a small village in the Rokycany district of the Pilsen Region. Carved from stone at life size, the figure has watched over the crossing known locally as Švédský most (Swedish Bridge) for generations and remains one of the most recognizable architectural details in this part of the village.

Where exactly does the statue stand?

The figure stands on the left bank of the Klabava, right at the entrance to the bridge, raised on its own separate pedestal. The coordinates of the site are 49.716582, 13.68762. Dobřív itself is best known for its historic water-powered hammer mill, and it is around these two landmarks — the bridge and the hammer mill — that the village's historic centre is concentrated.

What is Švédský most, and when was it built?

The stone baroque bridge spanning the Klabava is known as Švédský most. Its exact construction date is not recorded — according to the local village chronicle, it was most likely built in the second half of the 17th century. The bridge remains an important part of Dobřív's historic fabric and is still in use today.

What do the pedestal and the statue itself look like?

The pedestal on which the statue stands predates the figure itself: it originally carried a cross, which was only later replaced by the sculpture of St. John of Nepomuk. Sundials are carved into the sides of the pedestal, visible from every angle around it. The statue itself is carved in stone at life size and follows a baroque style. A second sculpture, of St. Barbara, stands in the immediate vicinity of the bridge.

What is known about the statue's restoration?

The statue has undergone conservation work on several occasions. The first interventions took place in 1994 and 2003. The largest and most thorough restoration ran from July to November 2017 and was carried out by academic restorer MgA Helena Jahodová, licensed by the Ministry of Culture. The work included removing biological growth from the stone surface, consolidating the weakened material, restoring missing metal attributes of the figure, and securing the damaged pedestal.

Has the monument received any recognition?

Yes. Following the completion of the 2017 restoration, the statue received an award in the "Památka Plzeňského kraje" (Monument of the Pilsen Region) competition, confirming the quality of the conservation work carried out and the value of the monument itself.

Who was St. John of Nepomuk, and why does he stand by the bridge?

St. John of Nepomuk is one of the most widely recognized saints in the Czech lands, traditionally associated with protecting bridges and river crossings from floods. Statues depicting him were erected beside bridges and rivers throughout Bohemia and Moravia, and the figure in Dobřív — placed at the entrance to the Švédský most over the Klabava — follows this same widespread regional custom.

What should visitors know before coming?

The site lies away from the main tourist routes, in a quiet part of Dobřív, and is best combined with a visit to the nearby historic hammer mill and the bridge itself. It's worth paying attention to the details of the pedestal — the sundials carved into it are older than the statue of the saint and are an easy-to-miss element of the overall composition.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Dobřív stand? At the entrance to the Švédský most over the Klabava river, on the left bank, in the Rokycany district of the Pilsen Region.

When was the bridge next to the statue built? The exact date is unknown — according to the village chronicle, it was most likely built in the second half of the 17th century.

Is the pedestal as old as the statue? No — the pedestal predates the statue and originally carried a cross before it was replaced with the figure of the saint.

When was the monument last restored? From July to November 2017, under the direction of academic restorer MgA Helena Jahodová.

Has the monument won any awards? Yes, in 2017 it received an award in the "Památka Plzeňského kraje" competition.

Is there another sculpture nearby? Yes, a statue of St. Barbara stands close to the statue of St. John of Nepomuk.