Statue of Saint Wenceslaus in Poděbrady

The Statue of Saint Wenceslaus in Poděbrady stands in a small park on the eastern side of the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, on Anežka České Square in the center of Poděbrady. It is one of many Czech monuments dedicated to the country's patron saint, the martyred duke Wenceslaus, whose veneration has shaped public art here for centuries.

Who created the statue?

The monument was made by Josef Šejbal, a Czech sculptor active in the 19th century. The statue dates from 1884 and has remained part of the setting around the Poděbrady church ever since. Placing the figure right next to the church was a deliberate choice — statues of the Czech patron saint were traditionally positioned near churches and town squares as an expression of a community's devotion to him.

What does the statue look like?

The figure is shown in a contrapposto stance, with the body's weight shifted onto one leg, giving the pose a natural, dynamic quality. Saint Wenceslaus wears richly draped robes and a cloak, their folds carefully rendered by the sculptor. Over this clothing he wears scaled, Byzantine-style armor — a feature typical of Gothic depictions of the saint, drawing on an iconographic tradition established already in the Middle Ages. The result combines a historical, Gothic visual canon with 19th-century sculptural craftsmanship.

Has the statue been restored?

Yes. In 2008 the statue underwent conservation work carried out by Jan Kracík. The restoration helped preserve the sculpture's condition and keep its details legible — both the draped garments and the armor — which might otherwise have worn down over time due to weather exposure.

Where exactly is the statue located?

The monument stands in the park adjoining the eastern facade of the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, on Anežka České Square in the center of Poděbrady. The location is easy to reach on foot, and the combination of the church and the adjacent green square makes it a natural stop when exploring the historic town center.

Why is the statue worth seeing?

For visitors to Poděbrady, the statue of Saint Wenceslaus is more than a piece of religious sculpture — it is evidence of a 19th-century tradition of honoring the Czech patron saint in public space. The combination of historicizing, Gothic-style armor with a later, 19th-century sculptor's execution shows how long and consistently the cult of Saint Wenceslaus shaped public art in the region. It also makes a good starting point for exploring the surrounding church and square.

Frequently asked questions

Who made the statue of Saint Wenceslaus in Poděbrady? It was sculpted by Josef Šejbal in 1884.

Where does the statue stand? In the park on the eastern side of the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross, on Anežka České Square in Poděbrady.

Has the statue ever been restored? Yes, it was restored in 2008 by Jan Kracík.

How is the saint depicted in the statue? In a contrapposto pose, wearing richly draped robes and a cloak over scaled, Byzantine-Gothic style armor typical of depictions of Saint Wenceslaus.