Nepomukstatue in Bildhäuschen

The statue of Nepomuk in its Bildhäuschen is a small wayside shrine in Oeschgen, a municipality in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland. A figure of Saint John of Nepomuk stands inside a little roofed shrine on Vorstadt street, and the cantonal heritage inventory dates it to around 1730.

What is this place?

"Bildhäuschen" is German for a small image house, a miniature chapel built to shelter a holy figure. Here it holds a statue of Nepomuk, the Bohemian priest venerated across Central Europe, often as a patron of bridges and of those who keep confidences. The shrine is tiny and takes only minutes to see, yet it shows how far the cult of this saint spread during the Baroque era.

Why Nepomuk in Oeschgen?

Heritage records say villagers took John of Nepomuk as their patron in 1723, and the shrine was most likely built soon after as an expression of that devotion. In 1761 Pope Clement XIII strengthened the veneration in Oeschgen by confirming a brotherhood in the saint's name. Similar wooden Nepomuk figures appear on the high altar of the parish church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Oeschgen and in the chapel of Saint Ursula in Münchwilen.

Damage and restoration

The shrine has not escaped unscathed. Archive files mention a restoration in 1967 following demolition, and the inventory describes how, after vandalism, the lower part had to be rebuilt by a stonemason from Muri. In 1975 the shrine was moved because of construction work for the N3 motorway. It is now under cantonal protection as a monument of regional importance, a status granted in 1952.

Where it is and how to visit

The shrine is in Oeschgen, in the Laufenburg district of northern Aargau, not far from the German border, at roughly 47.5187 N, 8.0125 E. It stands in public space, so you can see it for free at any time. Pair the stop with a stroll through the village and a look at the nearby parish church, which holds another figure of the saint.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the statue? The heritage inventory dates it to about 1730.

Is the shrine still in its original spot? No, it was relocated in 1975 because of the N3 motorway works.

Is there an admission fee? No, it is a roadside monument open to everyone.

Who was John of Nepomuk? A medieval priest from Prague, venerated as a saint and patron of bridges, whose statues are found across the region.

Is it a major attraction? No, it is a modest local monument, of interest to fans of sacred architecture and regional history.