sv. Jan Nepomucký

The statue of St. John of Nepomuk is a small but distinctive religious monument standing in Sedlec, a district of Kutná Hora in central Bohemia. Wayside statues of this saint, the patron of bridges and confessors, appear across many Czech towns, yet the Sedlec figure stands out for its carefully carved pedestal and well-preserved decorative details.

What does the statue look like?

The figure rises on a tall, prismatic pedestal flanked by gable-shaped extensions on both sides, topped with a cornice. The saint himself is shown in the classic iconographic pose associated with his cult: he stands on clouds, his left leg slightly bent and stepping forward, giving the silhouette a gentle contrapposto. He holds a cross bearing the corpus of Christ, and his head is inclined to the left, a gesture traditionally read as humility and quiet prayer. Above his head sits a gilded metal halo adorned with five stars, referencing the legend of five lights said to have appeared over the water where John of Nepomuk drowned.

What decorates the pedestal?

The side faces of the base carry relief carvings of festoons — leaves and fruit entwined with ribbon — a decorative motif common on Baroque and later Czech religious sculpture. The rear of the pedestal bears the inscription "LP 1913," marking the year the monument was made or endowed; "LP" is the Czech abbreviation for the Latin "Anno Domini."

Where exactly does it stand?

The statue is located in Sedlec, the part of Kutná Hora best known for its Cistercian monastery and the famous Sedlec Ossuary. It is not a headline attraction on its own, but it makes for an interesting stop for visitors exploring Sedlec on foot, sitting alongside the routes that lead to the area's better-known monuments.

Why is it worth a look?

Roadside and square statues of saints like this one are an integral part of the Czech cultural landscape, reflecting the religious devotion of local communities and the tradition of erecting votive monuments after natural disasters, epidemics, or in gratitude for protection. Despite its relatively young age — dating only to the early 20th century — the Sedlec statue preserves the formal visual language of older Baroque prototypes, making it an interesting example of traditional iconography continuing into the modern era.

Frequently asked questions

Who was John of Nepomuk? John of Nepomuk was a Czech saint and confessor to the queen who, according to tradition, was drowned in the Vltava River on the orders of King Wenceslaus IV. He is the patron saint of bridges, confessors, and protection against floods and slander.

Why does the saint have stars above his head? The five stars in the halo refer to the legend that five bright lights appeared on the water at the spot where the saint drowned.

When was the Sedlec statue made? The inscription on the pedestal points to the year 1913.

Can a visit be combined with other Sedlec sights? Yes — Sedlec is known for its Cistercian monastery and the Sedlec Ossuary, so a walking route through the district can easily include this small wayside statue as well.