Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague)
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Dorcadion Team
N 50° 05.171 E 014° 24.788
33U E 458016 N 5548377
Depicted Baroque sculptural group of St. Ivo (sousoší Sv. Iva) is one of 31 historic statues (...or groups) decorating famous Gothic Charles Bridge (Karluv most) in Prague' centre.
Waymark Code: WMNGCB
Location: Hlavní město Praha, Czechia
Date Posted: 03/11/2015
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member puczmeloun
Views: 54

Depicted Baroque sculptural group of St. Ivo (sousoší Sv. Iva) 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.

Baroque sculptural group of St. Ivo is the first one on the left looking from the Old Town Bridge Tower. The Horice sandstone sculptural group, work of Matthias Bernard Braun (1711) as his second scuplture in Prague, was donated by the Law Faculty of the Prague University (St. Ivo is a patron of lawyers). The sculptural group depicts an old man and a widow with a child who are looking up to the saint for help. The saint is depicted as a religious judge protecting the poor against injustice of the powerful. On his right, there is an allegoric blindfolded Justice with a scale and sword. The relief on the pedestal shows a mass served for a reconciled dispute between a mother and her son. It is believed that law students used to come to pray to the statue before their exams. The original of the statuary is now in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. This replica was sculpted by František Hergesel Jr. in 1908.


Saint Ivo of Kermartin, T.O.S.F. (17 October 1253 – 19 May 1303), also known Yvo or Ives, as Erwann (in Breton) and as Yves Hélory (also Helori or Heloury in French), was a parish priest among the poor of Louannec, the only one of his station to be canonized in the Middle Ages. He is the patron of Brittany, lawyers and abandoned children. His feast day is 19 May. Poetically, he is referred to as "Advocate of the Poor". [wiki]

Associated Religion(s): Roman Catholic

Statue Location: Sculptural group is the first one on the left looking from the Old Town Bridge Tower.

Entrance Fee: free

Artist: Matthias Bernard Braun

Website: [Web Link]

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Recent Visits/Logs:
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Kulpakko visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 05/17/2022 Kulpakko visited it
sernikk visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 05/14/2022 sernikk visited it
petendot visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 09/23/2021 petendot visited it
Olivetti visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 09/22/2021 Olivetti visited it
davidb11 visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 12/16/2018 davidb11 visited it
blackjack65 visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 08/12/2018 blackjack65 visited it
The A-Team visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 06/30/2018 The A-Team visited it
jotheonly visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 09/02/2017 jotheonly visited it
slava04 visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 02/02/2017 slava04 visited it
run26.2 visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 11/13/2016 run26.2 visited it
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*Team Krombaer* visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 12/20/2015 *Team Krombaer* visited it
Der Wald-Pirat visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 05/12/2015 Der Wald-Pirat visited it
Blogi visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 03/21/2015 Blogi visited it
Chickilim visited Sculptural group of St. Ivo on Charles Bridge / Sousoší Sv. Iva na Karlove moste (Prague) 11/26/2005 Chickilim visited it

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