St. Nicolas of Tolentino on Charles Bridge / Sv. Mikuláš Tolentinský na Karlove moste (Prague) - Statues of Religious Figures on Waymarking.com

Depicted Baroque statue of St. Nicolas of Tolentino (Sv. Mikuláš Tolentinský) is one of 31 historic statues (...or groups) decorating famous Gothic Charles Bridge (Karluv most) in Prague' centre.

What makes Charles Bridge a top tourist attraction is the open air sculptural gallery which adorns it. It was created much later than the actual bridge construction, mostly in 1706-1714 in the expectation of the canonisation of John of Nepomuk (Jan Nepomucký). Despite the partial changes the gallery has undergone since its creation, it is still a great reflection of the history of the Czech lands - there are 31 statues and groups of statues in all on the bridge today with approximately 100 figures, among them also prime works of the great men of central European sculpture Matthias B. Braun and Ferdinand M. Brokoff. Since 1965 the precious originals of the statues have been gradually replaced by replicas. In extent and quality this bridge gallery has no equal in Europe.

Statue of St. Nicholas of Tolentino is the 11th one on the left looking from the Old Town Bridge Tower. The statue, work of Jeroným Bedrich Kohl (1708), was donated by the Convent of the Augustinian Order in Prague. It shows St. Nicolas of Tolentino, a benefactor of the poor, giving out bread; next to him there is an angel holding a basket with bread. The cartouche on a simple prismal pedestal has the Latin inscription To the consoler of the faithful; below the cartouche there is the Latin inscription "To St. Nicholas of Tolentino, who made miracles with miraculously exuded blood and blessed bread". The original of the statue is in Gorlice at Vyšehrad; the copy on the bridge was made by J. Jirikovský in 1969.

St. Nicholas of Tolentino (ca. 1246 – September 10, 1305), was an excellent preacher from the second half of the 13th century. Before he finished his studies, he joined the Augustinian Order in Tolentino, Italy, where he became famous for his repentance and humbleness. He was appointed a preacher of the monastery, which he did for 30 years. In his daily preaching, he proved to have a gift to make even the staunchest sinners repent and became famous for his miracles and skills in healing the ill. He lived in asceticism and was a devoted helper of the poor and distressed. He died in 1306 and was canonized in 1446. He is venerated as the protector of unity of the Church, a helper in need and a patron of souls in purgatory. His attributes are a star on the chest and lily in the hand.