Statue of Saint Wendelin in Telč

The Statue of Saint Wendelin in Telč stands along the Na Dlážkách path in the Telč-Staré Město district, the fifth of seven Baroque figures that make up the town's statue walkway. It portrays the patron saint of shepherds and farmers, shown with a sheep at his feet — one of the most easily recognisable and well-loved figures on the whole route.

Where exactly does the statue stand?

The figure stands along the Na Dlážkách path, which runs beside the old town pond and links the historic centre of Telč with the rest of the town. Seven Baroque statues carved by Kašpar Ober between 1740 and 1750 line this route: a Guardian Angel, the Archangel Michael, Saint John of Nepomuk, Mary Magdalene, Saint Wendelin, the Archangel Raphael, and an Annunciation group, with the walk ending at the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. Wendelin is the fifth stop — visitors pass him after John of Nepomuk and Mary Magdalene, and before reaching the Archangel Raphael.

What does the statue look like, and what are its attributes?

The saint is shown in contrapposto, slightly larger than life-size, standing on a low pedestal. He wears a shepherd's hat, his head tilted and turned to one side. A sheep lies at his left foot with its head turned to the right — the most immediately recognisable element of the whole composition. Beyond the hat and sheep, the sculptor gave the figure a shepherd's staff, a book, and a royal crown. That last attribute is no accident: according to legend, Wendelin was born into a royal family but gave up his inheritance and title to live as a simple shepherd — the crown recalls the status he chose to abandon, while the book points to his later life as a monastic abbot.

Why is Saint Wendelin the patron of shepherds and farmers?

Wendelin is venerated as the protector of shepherds, cattle breeders, and farmers, and is invoked against disease among livestock. This patronage follows directly from his legend, which portrays a man of noble birth who chose a life of humility instead, herding flocks in a foreign land before eventually becoming a monastery abbot. In the rural communities of Central Europe, a saint who combined humility with care for farm animals held broad appeal, which explains his place among the Baroque figures of the Telč walkway, built at a time when livestock farming underpinned daily life for the town's surrounding population.

What happened to the statue in 2017?

The statue is listed as a protected heritage monument, yet that status did not spare it from vandalism: in 2017, an unknown perpetrator broke off the leg of the sheep lying at the saint's feet and also damaged two fingers on the neighbouring statue of the Archangel Raphael. The incident is a reminder that, despite the popularity of the Na Dlážkách path with visitors, the individual statues still require ongoing care and occasional repair.

Frequently asked questions

Which position does the Statue of Saint Wendelin occupy along the Na Dlážkách path? Fifth — after the statues of Saint John of Nepomuk and Mary Magdalene, and before the Archangel Raphael.

What attributes does the Statue of Saint Wendelin in Telč show? A shepherd's hat, a shepherd's staff, a book, a royal crown, and a sheep lying at the saint's left foot.

Why does Saint Wendelin hold a crown if he was a shepherd? The crown refers to the legend that Wendelin was born into a royal family but voluntarily gave up his title and wealth to live as a shepherd.

Who is Saint Wendelin the patron of? He is the patron saint of shepherds, cattle breeders, and farmers, and is invoked against disease among farm animals.

Was the statue ever damaged? Yes — in 2017 a vandal broke off the leg of the sheep at Wendelin's statue and damaged two fingers on the adjacent statue of the Archangel Raphael.