Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Jimramov

The Baroque statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Jimramov stands on the square in front of the former school in this small town in the Žďár nad Sázavou district, in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic. This is not the famous statue from Prague's Charles Bridge, but a separate, local work, regarded as one of the oldest outdoor sculptures in this part of the region, with its own documented history of commissioning and relocation.

Who commissioned the statue, and when was it made?

The sculpture was commissioned by Marie Anna z Niebrů, who held the Jimramov estate between 1712 and 1744. The pedestal carries a Latin inscription in which the capital letters form a chronogram pointing to the year 1712 — a date read in two possible ways: either as the year the Niebrů family took over the Jimramov estate, or as the year the statue itself was made. Either reading ties the statue directly to this specific noble family, rather than to an anonymous parish commission.

What journey did the statue take before reaching its current spot?

The statue has not always stood where it can be seen today. It originally stood by the local castle, and was later moved next to the Catholic church. It reached its present square only after the school building went up in 1801, when the space in front of the new school apparently became the sculpture's main site. Multiple relocations like this are not unusual for statues in the region, but in this case the sequence is well documented and can be traced step by step.

What does the pedestal tell you?

The base of the statue carries the coats of arms of two families, Bornstadt and Niebrů, alongside the Latin inscription with its chronogram already mentioned. This heraldic pairing confirms that the statue was raised as an estate owner's commission rather than a spontaneous initiative by local residents. It is considered one of the oldest surviving outdoor statues within the former Nové Město district, making it a notable reference point for the local history of religious sculpture.

Where exactly can you find it?

The statue stands on the square in the central part of Jimramov, directly in front of the former school building. In some records, this location is listed under Sedliště, a small village just a few hundred meters from Jimramov. That does not change where the statue actually stands — it is located within present-day Jimramov, the former seat of the Niebrů family estate. Worth knowing before you plan a visit: navigation apps may point toward Sedliště, while the statue itself stands on the main square of the town.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same statue as the one on Charles Bridge in Prague? No. This is a separate, local sculpture in Jimramov in the Vysočina region, unrelated to any of the statues on Prague's bridge.

Who commissioned the statue? Marie Anna z Niebrů, who held the Jimramov estate from 1712 to 1744.

Why did the statue stand in three different places? It originally stood by the castle, then next to the Catholic church, and reached its current square only after the school was built in 1801.

Is it the oldest statue in the area? According to local sources, it is likely the oldest surviving outdoor statue within the former Nové Město district.

Why do some records list Sedliště as the location? Sedliště is a village bordering Jimramov, only a few hundred meters away, and appears to be the nearest reference point in some databases — even though the statue itself stands on the square in Jimramov.