svatý Jan Nepomucký

The Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk is one of the notable historic monuments of Lázně Bohdaneč, a small spa town in the Pardubice District of eastern Czechia. The stone figure stands on Masaryk Square (Masarykovo náměstí), right in the middle of the town, and has long been part of its recognizable townscape.

Who was the saint depicted on the pedestal?

John of Nepomuk was a Czech priest from the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and one of the most frequently depicted saints in Baroque sculpture across Czechia and Central Europe. His statues were traditionally erected near bridges, rivers and town squares, honoring him as a protector against floods and misfortune and a symbol of discretion and confession. Comparable statues can be found in almost every Czech town, yet each carries its own local history and heritage status.

Where does the Bohdaneč statue come from, and who made it?

The statue in Lázně Bohdaneč dates to the second half of the 18th century, the late Baroque period. The name of its sculptor was never recorded — it is the work of an unknown author, which is common for provincial religious commissions of that era. It was carved from sandstone, a material widely used for outdoor sculpture in Czechia thanks to its availability and workability, though it is also vulnerable to weathering over time.

How has the statue's location changed over time?

Originally the statue stood right at the center of the town square, serving the role typical of this kind of monument — a visible landmark and a focal point of local devotion. In 2004, however, it was relocated: moved from its central position onto a profiled pedestal placed in a corner of the square, near the presbytery (rectory). Rearranging the space around historic statues like this is not uncommon in Czech towns, often driven by the need to manage pedestrian or vehicle traffic on the square while keeping the monument within its historic surroundings.

Is this the only monument to the saint in Bohdaneč?

No. Near Lázně Bohdaneč, in the area of the former mills, stands a second object connected to the same saint's cult — a memorial column erected in 1729 on an oak tree known as Dubinka. It commemorated the beatification of John of Nepomuk, announced on 31 May 1721, and was put up shortly before his canonization, which took place on 19 March 1729. The presence of two separate devotional monuments in one small town illustrates how strong the local veneration of this patron saint was in 18th-century Czechia, especially in the years between his beatification and canonization, when many such foundations were built.

What heritage protection does the square statue have?

The statue on Masarykovo náměstí is listed as a cultural monument (kulturní památka) in Czechia. This status grants it formal legal protection as part of the historical and artistic heritage, regardless of the fact that the name of its creator remains unknown.

Frequently asked questions

When was the statue made? In the second half of the 18th century, during the late Baroque period.

What material is it made of? Sandstone.

Where does it stand today? On Masaryk Square in Lázně Bohdaneč, on a pedestal in the corner of the square near the rectory, following its relocation in 2004.

Is there only one monument to this saint in Bohdaneč? No, an older memorial column from 1729, linked to John of Nepomuk's beatification and canonization, also stands near the former mills.

Is the statue legally protected? Yes, it is registered as a kulturní památka (cultural monument).