Kašna se sousoším svatého Jana Nepomuckého Fountain

The fountain with the statue of St. John Nepomuk is a Baroque monument located in the middle of the Small Square in Hradec Kralove. The originally medieval village well was rebuilt into a fountain in the 15th century and in 1772 it underwent Baroque reconstruction. In the centre of it stands the statue of St. John Nepomuk, which was made in 1718 and moved to this place in 1772. This object has great historical value and serves as a cultural symbol of the city.

The history of the fountain dates back to the Middle Ages, when the village well was dug out in the place of today's Little Square. In the 15th century, this water source turned into a fountain serving local residents. The quality of the water was moderately good and some wells were already covered at that time. The Baroque reconstruction took place in 1772 when the statue of St. John Nepomucký was placed. This period was characterised by the development of Baroque architecture in Bohemia, which is also reflected in this monument.

The fountain is removed from the sandstone and has a four-sided plan with rounded corners. Its full sill is finished by a ledge and around it is a stone degree. The sculptor's work in its midst represents a saint in Canovnik's garment who looks up pitifully. Two angels approach him and raise him to heaven. The statue stands on a three-piece pedestal with volutes that are cut in corners. The front side of the pedestal is then placed in the form of an oval cartouche.

The original sculpture was made by the Hradec township and later imperial speedster Jan Antonín Friedrich in 1718. The likely author is a student of M. B. Braun. The work was originally located near the road near the Prague Gate in Prague Suburb, where the former medieval Dominican monastery was located. In 1757 Hradec Municipality decided on regular repairs of the statue of the municipal pension. Due to the construction of the royal castle fort, it was moved in 1772 to the Small Square where it became part of the fountain.

Over the years, there have been changes in the state of the sculpture. Due to its physical deterioration, the original work was moved around 1930 to the depository of the Municipal Historical Museum and replaced by a copy from sculptor Josef Václav Škoda. The fountain underwent modifications in 1977 and overall reconstruction in 1999-2000.

Today is the fountain with the statue of St. John of Nepomuk cultural monument, which attracts visitors and locals. Its history and architecture form an important element of the cultural heritage of Hradec Králové. Exploring this object is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of the city and its architectural development. This whole represents not only the historical unique, but also a symbol of the city's endurance and cultural identity. It reminds us of the importance of heritage care for future generations and offers a way to immerse yourself in a rich past and appreciate architectural beauty.