Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk on the head of Edvard Beneš Bridge in Český Krumlov

The statue of Saint John of Nepomuk on the Edvard Beneš Bridge stands at the edge of the crossing that links the left bank of the Vltava with Kájovská street in Český Krumlov. It is one of many statues of the saint erected over the centuries beside Czech bridges and rivers — John of Nepomuk is venerated as the patron saint of bridges and one of the principal patron saints of the Czech lands.

Where is the statue located?

The sculpture stands beside the Edvard Beneš bridge, which crosses the Vltava and connects to Kájovská street, one of the town's historic thoroughfares. The figure is placed at the edge of the bridge, on the left bank of the river, clearly visible to people walking toward the old town. The coordinates of the site are 48.80902 N, 14.314835 E.

Who was John of Nepomuk?

John of Nepomuk (c. 1340–1393) was a Bohemian clergyman, a canon of the Prague chapter, who fell into conflict with King Wenceslaus IV and was drowned in the Vltava in Prague on the king's order. Over time he became one of the most widely recognized saints in the Czech lands, and the legend of luminous signs appearing over the spot where his body was recovered made him the patron of bridges, of confessors, and of people defending their good name. Statues of John of Nepomuk were placed beside bridges and riverbanks across Bohemia as votive markers meant to ward off floods and accidents — which explains why such figures appear far beyond Prague, including in smaller towns like Český Krumlov.

What does the statue in Český Krumlov look like?

The saint is shown in canon's dress — a cassock (clerica) and rochet — holding a cross in his left hand. Five stars are set above his head, referencing the legend of luminous points said to have appeared over the water where his body was found. The figure stands on a raised, decorated pedestal topped with a small canopy that shelters the sculpture from rain and snow — a detail rarely seen on this type of wayside or bridge statue.

Who made the statue, and when?

The exact date the statue was made and the name of its sculptor are not known — available local sources do not record this information. The lack of a signature or archival documentation means the figure remains one of the less-documented pieces of small sacred architecture in Český Krumlov, even though the Edvard Beneš bridge itself and the Kájovská street it connects to are well-known local landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the statue stand? At the edge of the Edvard Beneš bridge in Český Krumlov, on the left bank of the Vltava, near its junction with Kájovská street.

Why is John of Nepomuk depicted near bridges? Because he died by drowning in a river and became the patron saint of bridges and river travelers — statues of him were traditionally placed to protect against floods and misfortune.

What do the five stars above the saint's head mean? They refer to the legend of luminous signs said to have appeared over the Vltava at the spot where John of Nepomuk's body was recovered.

Is the sculptor of the statue known? No — neither the sculptor nor the exact date of creation has been established in available sources.

Can the statue be reached on foot? Yes, it stands beside a publicly accessible bridge, within walking distance of Český Krumlov's old town.