St. John of Nepomuk Statue
St. John of Nepomuk Statue
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The area
Neighbourhood: Praha 1 (City Center)
How to get there
- Lesser • 6 min walk
- Old Town • 6 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
4,645 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,578 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Pub Monster NeilLiverpool, United Kingdom69,469 contributionsBeautifulIn my opinion Charles Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in the world and along this bridge are thirty statues, one of the most famous is this statue in honour of St John Of Nepomuk. Saint John Of Nepomuk ( 1345-1393 ) is the patron saint of Bohemia and one of the patron saints of the Czech's ,considered one of the first Martyrs, in a bitter conflict between church and state, for not divulging the confessions of his queen, King Wenceslas IV had John Of Nepomuk thrown in the Vltava River. The statue is superb, it shows Saint John Of Nepomuk as a bearded capitulary with a five star glory with crucifix and golden leaf ,the work of Austrian sculpture Mattias Rauchmuller and placed on the bridge in 1683 ,it is the oldest statue on the bridge which is a bit of a misnomer as I believe all the statue's on the bridge are replicas and housed in the Lapidarium of the Narodni Muzeum,a beautiful statue, one I highly recommend you check out if you're walking across Charles Bridge.Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 31 March 2024
- Meander13789160261Champaign, Illinois7 contributionsPrague, a city worth vistingPrague is a city that you need to add to your bucket list. We are returning in 2025 to see beyond Old Town and the palace. There is so much more to explore. The city is easy to navigate and the trolleys are free for people of a certain senior age. Next time we hope to see a preformance. .Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 19 August 2024
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, Minnesota6,573 contributionsPatron Saint of Bohemia Martyred in 1393 When Thrown from the Bridge Near this StatueCharles Bridge (Karluv Most) is one of the most beautiful and historic bridges in Europe, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and completed in the 1400s. The bridge is lined with multiple statues and one of the most memorable is that of St John of Nepomuk. A wooden version of the statue was the first statue erected on the bridge dating back to 1657. It remembers St John of Nepomuk who is one of the patron saints of Bohemia and who was the Archbishop of Prague. He was martyred in 1393 when he refused to divulge the confession of the Queen of Bohemia and King Wenceslas IV had him tortured and thrown off the Charles bridge into the Vltava River near the current location of the statue.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 September 2024
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Insu
Icmeler, Türkiye761 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
John of Nepomuk was a priest under Wenceslas IV and also served as pastor to his second wife, Sophia of Bavaria. He kept the queen's secrets with a devoted heart and did not reveal them when the king demanded to know everything down to the smallest detail. Even under torture, Ian remained silent. He was thrown alive into the Vltava River, but his body could not be found. One night, five stars shone over the water, indicating the location of his body. John of Nepomuk is revered as a saint, and therefore five stars are always visible above his head, symbolizing the word "TAKIU" in Latin, which means "I was silent." The legend also tells of a queen whom Wenceslas IV suspected of treason and handed over to be torn to pieces by dogs.
In 1729, John of Nepomuk was declared a saint. Near the statue of the great martyr you can see bas-reliefs depicting legendary events. Including the scene of the confession of Mary of Bavaria to John of Nepomuk and the martyrdom of the priest.
It is known that if you touch the figurine of a saint thrown from a bridge and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Also, when touching a dog on another bas-relief, you may wish to make friends. There are many options and traditions associated with this place, so you can try different ways to successfully fulfill your wish.
When making a wish, it is important to touch the “magical” places on the bas-reliefs, and the wish must be sincere and not material. People believe that even a simple touch to the statue of John of Nepomuk can make your most cherished wish come true.
It is common for every person to believe in miracles and have their own rituals to attract them. This makes our life more exciting and interesting. The main thing is that the desire is sincere and truly corresponds to your desires and dreams. And luck will definitely smile on you!
In 1729, John of Nepomuk was declared a saint. Near the statue of the great martyr you can see bas-reliefs depicting legendary events. Including the scene of the confession of Mary of Bavaria to John of Nepomuk and the martyrdom of the priest.
It is known that if you touch the figurine of a saint thrown from a bridge and make a wish, it will certainly come true. Also, when touching a dog on another bas-relief, you may wish to make friends. There are many options and traditions associated with this place, so you can try different ways to successfully fulfill your wish.
When making a wish, it is important to touch the “magical” places on the bas-reliefs, and the wish must be sincere and not material. People believe that even a simple touch to the statue of John of Nepomuk can make your most cherished wish come true.
It is common for every person to believe in miracles and have their own rituals to attract them. This makes our life more exciting and interesting. The main thing is that the desire is sincere and truly corresponds to your desires and dreams. And luck will definitely smile on you!
Written 28 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Serge Ydo
Koggenland, The Netherlands15,380 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Approximately in the middle of the Charles Bridge, which dates from 1357, you will find a large statue that clearly stands out from the many other statues on the bridge. It is the bronze statue in honor of Saint Nepomuk. It was the first statue placed on the bridge in 1683. The thirty other stone statues on the bridge, mostly religious representations, followed later. The Holy Nepomuk will not be known to everyone. He was born as Jan Wellflin in 1350 in the Bohemian town of Pomuk and is actually always called Jan Nepomuk after his birthplace. After thorough studies, he quickly made a career in the Roman Church.. he was a popular preacher in the Týn Church and St. Vitus Cathedral, both in Prague. He also became vicar general of the archdiocese and was confessor of the Bohemian queen Sophia of Bavaria, wife of King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia (1361-1419). This monarch suspected his wife of marital infidelity and demanded that Jan Nepomuk, the queen's confessor, reveal her alleged secrets. Nepomuk refused this and was arrested on behalf of the king in 1303, tortured and thrown off the Charles Bridge. Nepomuk drowned in the Vltava, but his corpse emerged surrounded by stars after a short time. In 1729, so about 336 years later, Nepomuk was canonized. Shortly afterwards, in 1736, he was given an impressively large mausoleum, completely covered with silver, in the choir of St. Vitus Cathedral. The statue on the Charles Bridge is easy to find, because crowds of people stand in front of it to touch the column on which it stands... touch will one day bring the visitor back to the beautiful city of Prague, or so the superstition goes.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rita_G_64
Trieste, Italy351,036 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Wenceslas IV punished Saint John by cutting off his tongue and his body was thrown into this point of the river. Like everyone else, we too caressed the bronze bas-relief which represents a little dog as a sign of loyalty. So after centuries of everyone caressing it it appears golden
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander13789160261
Champaign, IL7 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Prague is a city that you need to add to your bucket list. We are returning in 2025 to see beyond Old Town and the palace. There is so much more to explore. The city is easy to navigate and the trolleys are free for people of a certain senior age. Next time we hope to see a preformance. .
Written 19 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN6,573 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) is one of the most beautiful and historic bridges in Europe, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV and completed in the 1400s. The bridge is lined with multiple statues and one of the most memorable is that of St John of Nepomuk. A wooden version of the statue was the first statue erected on the bridge dating back to 1657. It remembers St John of Nepomuk who is one of the patron saints of Bohemia and who was the Archbishop of Prague. He was martyred in 1393 when he refused to divulge the confession of the Queen of Bohemia and King Wenceslas IV had him tortured and thrown off the Charles bridge into the Vltava River near the current location of the statue.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginges_revenge
Brisbane, Australia5,863 contributions
Feb 2023
As most posts will read from the research done, John Of Nepomuk was the confessor of the Queen Of Bohemia who refused to divulge secrets of the queen. On the behest of Wenceslas IV Of Bohemia, he was drowned in the Vltava River and is considered one of the first Martyrs. It is among one of the statues to grace the lovely Karlov Most / Charles bridge and looks lovely with its golden halo.
A lot of tourists believe its good luck to touch to the statue and like the Trevii Fountain in Rome, it will bring you back to visit Prague again. If the research I did on it was correct, it was just a group of school kids attempting to clean it and made a shiny patch on it and then people started rubbing it for luck and a tradition was started, cant be 100% sure on this. Still, give it a rub if you like and I hope it brings you good luck and fortune.
A lot of tourists believe its good luck to touch to the statue and like the Trevii Fountain in Rome, it will bring you back to visit Prague again. If the research I did on it was correct, it was just a group of school kids attempting to clean it and made a shiny patch on it and then people started rubbing it for luck and a tradition was started, cant be 100% sure on this. Still, give it a rub if you like and I hope it brings you good luck and fortune.
Written 23 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,815 contributions
Dec 2022
John Of Nepomuk was the confessor of the Queen Of Bohemia who refused to divulge secrets of the queen. On the behest of Wenceslas IV Of Bohemia, he was drowned in the Vltava River and is considered a first Martyr.
Touching the metal plaques under the statue is a Prague ritual. It is supposed to bring good luck and to ensure that you will return to Prague soon.
Touching the metal plaques under the statue is a Prague ritual. It is supposed to bring good luck and to ensure that you will return to Prague soon.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,766 contributions
Oct 2019
This statue stands in tribute to St. John of Nepomuk, who refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional (of the Queen of Bohemia) and was thrown from the Charles Bridge for his troubles.
This statue of John of Nepomuk at Charles Bridge stands at the site where the saint was supposedly thrown into the River Vltava below. The statue depicts the saint holding a large cross of the crucifixion. His face is turned upwards, almost in ecstasy as a martyr of the Seal of the Confessional. There’s bronze relief sculptures on the pedestal on which this statue stands, which people like to rub for luck.
Worth a look if on the bridge, but really it’s no better than the many statues already on the bridge.
This statue of John of Nepomuk at Charles Bridge stands at the site where the saint was supposedly thrown into the River Vltava below. The statue depicts the saint holding a large cross of the crucifixion. His face is turned upwards, almost in ecstasy as a martyr of the Seal of the Confessional. There’s bronze relief sculptures on the pedestal on which this statue stands, which people like to rub for luck.
Worth a look if on the bridge, but really it’s no better than the many statues already on the bridge.
Written 9 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wenovo
Morris County, NJ2,026 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
St. John Nepomuk's statue is easy to find on the Charles Bridge.
There are masses of tourists trying to touch it for good luck, for return to Prague, probably for any wish they want granted...
Most people know that he was thrown into the river on the jealous King's orders, as he would not reveal the secret confessed to him by the Queen. He defended the Seal of the Confesional. Of course it is worthwhile to find his statue.
The Legend of the Five Stars adds another interesting touch and as legends go, it is only vaguely explained. A reflection of five stars was observed in the river around his body- is what was said.
St. John Nepomuk's Tomb - a massive Baroque structure weighing a ton made out of solid silver could be and should be seen in St. Vitus Cathedral.
It is roped off - so no touching for luck there.
St. Nepomuk's Baroque church in Kutna Hora and a Pilgrimage Church at Zelena Hora in Zdar Nad Sazavou may be of interest to you...
Good Luck!
There are masses of tourists trying to touch it for good luck, for return to Prague, probably for any wish they want granted...
Most people know that he was thrown into the river on the jealous King's orders, as he would not reveal the secret confessed to him by the Queen. He defended the Seal of the Confesional. Of course it is worthwhile to find his statue.
The Legend of the Five Stars adds another interesting touch and as legends go, it is only vaguely explained. A reflection of five stars was observed in the river around his body- is what was said.
St. John Nepomuk's Tomb - a massive Baroque structure weighing a ton made out of solid silver could be and should be seen in St. Vitus Cathedral.
It is roped off - so no touching for luck there.
St. Nepomuk's Baroque church in Kutna Hora and a Pilgrimage Church at Zelena Hora in Zdar Nad Sazavou may be of interest to you...
Good Luck!
Written 18 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rabih SOUAID
Düsseldorf, Germany2,217 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Free.
Statue among Charles bridge statue.
You can spend 5-10 minutes there.
Charle's bridge was used to serve as a place of execution for criminals who were dipped into the river in wicker baskets. This is where John of Nepomuk was thrown into the river in 1393 for allegedly refusing to divulge the queen of Bohemia’s confession secrets to suspicious King Wenceslas IV. The king reportedly had him thrown into the Vltava, upon which Nepomuk’s body is said to have miraculously lingered at the surface with five stars shining above it.
John of Nepomuk was canonized in 1729 and one statue commemorizing him stands along the street and Many visitors to the Charles Bridge has stood in front of his bronze statue and rubbed the plaque showing his martyrdom to get good luck. The scene shines bright amid the bridge’s blackened statues and plaques. Nearby however, is a second plaque featuring a shiny dog that also attracts the superstitious.
Statue among Charles bridge statue.
You can spend 5-10 minutes there.
Charle's bridge was used to serve as a place of execution for criminals who were dipped into the river in wicker baskets. This is where John of Nepomuk was thrown into the river in 1393 for allegedly refusing to divulge the queen of Bohemia’s confession secrets to suspicious King Wenceslas IV. The king reportedly had him thrown into the Vltava, upon which Nepomuk’s body is said to have miraculously lingered at the surface with five stars shining above it.
John of Nepomuk was canonized in 1729 and one statue commemorizing him stands along the street and Many visitors to the Charles Bridge has stood in front of his bronze statue and rubbed the plaque showing his martyrdom to get good luck. The scene shines bright amid the bridge’s blackened statues and plaques. Nearby however, is a second plaque featuring a shiny dog that also attracts the superstitious.
Written 11 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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