The sculptures of the Charles Bridge - Prague, Czech Republic
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ToRo61
N 50° 05.196 E 014° 24.624
33U E 457821 N 5548426
The sculptures of the Charles Bridge
Waymark Code: WMTQRJ
Location: Hlavní město Praha, Czechia
Date Posted: 12/31/2016
Views: 52
The alley of 30 Baroque statues (most of them) and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic harmony with the underlying Gothic bridge.
Most sculptures were erected between 1683 and 1714. They represent various saints and patron saints worshipped at that time. The most prominent Bohemian sculptors of the time took part on decorating the bridge, such as: Matthias Braun, Jan Brokoff and his sons Michael Joseph and Ferdinand Maximilian.
Among the most notable sculptures, one can find the statuaries of St. Luthgard, St. Crucifix or St. John of Nepomuk.
This photo depicts sculpture 'St. John of Nepomuk'.
This statue is the oldest on the bridge. The original clay design was made by Austrian sculptor Matthias Rauchmüller, based upon a wood model by Jan Brokoff. The statue was then cast in bronze by Volfgang Jeroným Heroldt in Nuremberg. The saint is presented in a traditional way, as a bearded capitulary with a five-star glory, standing on a tripartite base. The base portrays scenes from the life of St. John of Nepomuk, including the confession of Queen Johanna and the saint's death. In 1393 St. John of Nepomuk was thrown from the bridge into the river where he drowned. In modern times it has become traditional to touch the bridge here; this is held to bring good fortune and to ensure that the visitor will return to the city of Prague.
Year photo was taken: 1920
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