Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk in the streets Jana Švermy and Pionýrů, Kadaň

The Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk on the streets Jana Švermy and Pionýrů is a Baroque sandstone sculpture standing in Kadaň, at the western edge of Smetana Gardens, right where Jana Švermy and Pionýrů streets meet. It's a modest but distinctive landmark of this part of town, sitting slightly away from the main historic square yet still very much part of the everyday streetscape locals pass daily.

What the statue looks like

The monument depicts Saint John of Nepomuk, one of the most widely venerated saints of the Czech Baroque era. It is a freestanding figure set on a double pedestal – a lower base topped by a narrower plinth carrying the figure itself. The front face of the pedestal is decorated with a shallow relief of two symmetrical branches, tied together at the bottom with a stylized ribbon, a decorative motif typical of countless small devotional monuments scattered across the region.

The sculptor remains unknown. The statue is dated to 1707, making it one of the older surviving examples of small-scale sacred architecture in the area around Kadaň.

Who was Saint John of Nepomuk?

John of Nepomuk (c. 1345–1393) was a Czech priest and vicar general of the Prague diocese who died a martyr's death – according to tradition, he was thrown into the Vltava River on the orders of King Wenceslaus IV. Canonized in 1729, he became one of the most frequently depicted saints across Bohemia, Moravia, and beyond. His statues, typically showing him holding a crucifix, wearing a biretta, and crowned with a ring of five stars, were traditionally erected near bridges, rivers, and road crossings, since he is venerated as a protector against floods and water-related dangers, as well as a symbol of the inviolability of the confessional seal.

Why the spot is worth a pause

The Kadaň statue fits squarely into this widespread Czech tradition of placing figures of Saint John of Nepomuk in public space – along roads, on squares, and at intersections. While modest compared to the grander Baroque monuments found in larger cities, its value lies precisely in having survived, largely unchanged, in the local streetscape for more than three centuries. Its proximity to Smetana Gardens makes it a natural, quiet stop during a walk through Kadaň, appealing especially to visitors interested in small-scale sacred architecture and regional history.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the statue stand? At the western edge of Smetana Gardens in Kadaň, at the point where Jana Švermy and Pionýrů streets meet.

What material is the statue made of? Sandstone, a material typical of Baroque devotional monuments in this part of the Czech Republic.

When was the statue created? It is dated to 1707.

Who made it? The sculptor is unknown.

Why was Saint John of Nepomuk so often depicted near roads and rivers? Because he is venerated as a protector against floods and water-related accidents, and his cult is tied to the symbolism of the sacred seal of confession — for these reasons his statues were traditionally placed near bridges, rivers, and crossroads throughout the Czech lands.

Can this spot be combined with other sights in Kadaň? Yes – its location right by Smetana Gardens makes it easy to include in a longer walk through the town's green spaces.