sv. Florián

The Statue of Saint Florian in Konice is a Baroque monument from 1740, standing in a small park opposite the entrance to the local castle. It was carved by sculptor Andreas Zahner, commissioned by the Premonstratensian monastery of Hradisko near Olomouc, which owned Konice Castle at the time.

Who commissioned the statue, and why here?

The work was funded by Abbot Norbert III Umlauf, head of the Premonstratensian community at Hradisko. Since the monastery administered Konice Castle during this period, it made sense for the monks to commission a representative religious sculpture for the town. Today the statue ranks among the most significant sculptural works produced under the patronage of the Hradisko Premonstratensians — a piece whose importance extends beyond Konice itself.

Where exactly does the statue stand?

The monument stands in a small park directly across from the castle entrance, in what is known as the lower garden of the castle grounds. Its position was no accident: placed right at the approach to the courtyard, the statue was meant to be seen immediately by anyone entering the estate, reinforcing the prestige of the castle and its ties to the monastery.

What do the pedestal and figure look like?

The figure of the saint rests on a massive pedestal, its sides decorated with volutes — the scroll-shaped ornaments typical of Baroque design. This kind of base was common for prestigious religious commissions of the 18th century, lending the whole composition a monumental character despite the relatively modest size of the figure itself.

What makes this particular depiction of Saint Florian unusual?

Saint Florian is traditionally shown holding a burning house, which he douses with a bucket of water — his most recognizable attribute. In Konice, the sculptor departed from this convention: instead of a miniature burning house, flames rise directly from between the saint's feet, emerging from the base itself. This iconographic choice sets the Konice statue apart from many other depictions of the saint found across the region.

Where is Konice located?

Konice is a town in the Prostějov District, in the Olomouc Region of Moravia, Czech Republic. The statue stands right next to the castle, making it a natural stop for anyone walking through the town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who made the Saint Florian statue in Konice? It was carved by Andreas Zahner in 1740.

Who paid for the monument? Abbot Norbert III Umlauf of the Premonstratensian monastery of Hradisko near Olomouc, which owned Konice Castle at the time, commissioned it.

Where exactly can you find the statue? In a small park opposite the entrance to Konice Castle, on the castle's lower garden grounds.

How does this statue differ from typical depictions of the saint? Instead of the usual burning house, flames rise directly from beneath the saint's feet, out of the pedestal.

What does the pedestal look like? It's a massive base decorated on the sides with volutes, the spiral scroll ornaments characteristic of Baroque sculpture.