Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in Moravská Nová Ves

The statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands in Moravská Nová Ves, a small village in South Moravia, right beside the main road running through the settlement. The life-size stone figure rests on a distinctive four-sided pedestal and has long served as a recognizable landmark on the local square. A strip of grass surrounds it, framed by a modern decorative wrought-iron fence that protects the monument from accidental damage without blocking the view.

Who was Saint John of Nepomuk, and why is he honored here?

John of Nepomuk is one of the most frequently depicted saints in folk and sacred sculpture across the former Czech and Moravian lands. Tradition associates him with the seal of confession and with protection over water, bridges, and river crossings — which is why statues showing him in his characteristic canon's robes, holding a crucifix and wearing a biretta adorned with stars, appear in countless towns and villages, often near waterways, bridges, or main roads. The statue in Moravská Nová Ves follows this same widespread regional custom of erecting such monuments as votive offerings and expressions of local piety.

How old is the statue?

The figure dates back to 1740, making it nearly three centuries old. Throughout that span it has remained a fixed feature of the village landscape, outlasting much of the surrounding architecture as a continuous marker of local religious tradition.

What happened to the statue in recent years?

In 2021 the monument suffered serious damage. To prevent further deterioration and the loss of surviving fragments, it was removed to a conservation workshop for safekeeping. A comprehensive restoration was completed only in 2025: the stone surface was cleaned and consolidated, broken pieces were glued back together and missing sections filled in, and the destroyed halo was entirely remade from copper rod and sheet metal. The surface was then treated and the decorative elements regilded, returning the statue to an appearance close to its original state. The restoration cost 438,020 Czech korunas, of which 180,000 korunas were covered by a regional government subsidy.

What can visitors see today?

The statue now stands once again on its historic spot beside the main road, enclosed by a carefully designed fence. Visiting it offers a chance to see the outcome of years of conservation work and to appreciate how the local community continues to care for monuments tied to its history, even after serious damage. For anyone interested in Baroque sculpture and sacred folk art, it makes a modest but meaningful stop while exploring the South Moravian countryside.

Frequently asked questions

When was the statue made? In 1740.

What material is it made of? It is a stone sculpture standing on a four-sided pedestal.

Why was the statue restored? Because of severe damage sustained in 2021 — it was secured and moved to a workshop, with the full restoration finished in 2025.

How much did the restoration cost? 438,020 Czech korunas, including a 180,000-koruna regional grant.

Where exactly does the statue stand? Beside the main road running through Moravská Nová Ves, on a grassy strip enclosed by an ornamental metal fence.