svatý Jan Nepomucký

The column with the statue of St. John of Nepomuk stands on the main square in Rokycany, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic, and ranks among the town's oldest Baroque monuments. It was erected in 1709, a full twenty years before John of Nepomuk was officially canonized, making it one of the earlier examples of his veneration in Bohemia before the Church formally recognized his sainthood. The monument was commissioned by a local burgher, Jan Roman Antonín Vodňanský, who owned a house on the southern side of the square.

What does the column look like?

The monument consists of a pedestal and the statue itself. The base rises into a wavy, concave-convex shaft that narrows as it goes up, then widens again before tapering slightly just below the figure. St. John of Nepomuk is shown standing with his weight shifted onto one leg, dressed in canonical vestments — a flowing clerical robe finished with a richly embroidered hem. This pose and drapery style are typical of Baroque religious sculpture from the period.

What has the monument survived over the centuries?

Much of the column's history is a record of repeated repairs. In 1757 it was damaged during a fire that swept through Rokycany, and it was repaired the following year, in 1758. Further restoration work followed in 1768, 1900, 1936 and 1974, with the most recent major conservation carried out in 2007. That pattern shows how consistently generations of townspeople have looked after this landmark for more than three centuries.

Why isn't the original statue on the column anymore?

This is one of the more interesting details in the monument's story. The column was originally surrounded by a wrought-iron fence cast at the Klabava foundries near Rokycany. That fence was stolen in 1968, and a replacement was only installed during the 2007 restoration. Even earlier, in 2000, the original stone statue of the saint was moved into the collection of the Dr. Bohuslav Horák Museum in Rokycany to protect it from further weathering. A faithful copy made of synthetic resin now stands atop the column on the square — a solution commonly used in the Czech Republic to preserve valuable outdoor sculptures from further decay.

Where exactly is the monument located?

The column stands on Rokycany's main square, right in the historic centre of town, surrounded by period burgher houses. It is easy to reach on foot and serves as a natural landmark for anyone exploring the town centre.

Frequently asked questions

When was the column made? In 1709, twenty years before John of Nepomuk's canonization.

Who paid for the monument? A local burgher, Jan Roman Antonín Vodňanský, who owned a house on the square.

Is the statue on the column the original? No. The original was moved to the Dr. Bohuslav Horák Museum in 2000, and a synthetic resin copy now stands on the column instead.

Was the monument ever damaged? Yes, it was damaged in a town fire in 1757 and repaired in 1758, then restored again several times, most recently in 2007.

Where does the column stand? On the main square in Rokycany, in the historic town centre.