Socha Nová Opava Fountain

Welcome to the Liberty orchards, one of the most beautiful places in Opava, where nature encounters art and history. Right now, you're facing one of the most striking points in this space. In front of you is a statue that immediately attracts attention with its size and expression. It's a figure of a young woman, carved out of sandstone, which dominates the space around her with its life-expectancy. Feel her calm and at the same time the power she radiates. This sculpture is not just an ornament to the park, but it carries a deeper meaning and a story about the city you're in. This monument is known as New Opava, or also as the birth of a new Opava. If you look at it, you'll see it's a city personification. The whole work was created by a talented sculptor Vincenc Havel in 1958. At that time there was a popular direction in art called figural realism, which tried to capture the human body with great precision and nature, and it was in this spirit that the statue was created. The author wanted to create an allegory of Opava, an image that would symbolically represent the essence and new hope of the city. Now, I can convince you to pay attention to the specific details that you see right in front of you. Look at the way a woman stands. Her body is not in a rigid, straight position, but it is in a so-called contrast position. That means the weight of her body lies mostly on one leg, while the other is slightly baptized. This detail makes the character seem very natural, dynamic and light, as if at any moment it could move. It's a masterpiece hit by a sculptor who could express softness and life in a hard sandstone. _ When your eyes go from the character to the bottom, notice the tall plinth on which the woman stands. This base is a very important part of the whole building. If you look at it carefully, you'll see various reliefs, that is, rising image elements. This is where we encounter a fascinating time overlap. While the statue of the woman itself dates back to the mid-twentieth century, this historical base was created much earlier, around 1750. So imagine that there is a work before you that connects two completely different epochs. The eighteenth century and the year 1958 joined together here in one whole, which forms the center of the fountain in which the statue is located. Now let's think about what this sculpture actually means. Notice on the base of the city emblem. It is this detail that confirms that a young woman is not just a random figure, but a personification of the city of Opava. It's a symbol of his rebirth, his beauty and his future. Vincenc Havel wanted this work to express optimism and new beginnings. It's fascinating how a single sandstone figure can tell the story of the whole city and its identity. You may be interested in how the statue is kept in such good condition, although sandstone is a material that is subject to weather and dust effects over time. This is where modern landmark care comes into play. In 2019, the entire statue of a professional restaurant passed. The specialists made sure to preserve all the fine details that the sculptor had previously carved and to protect it from further disintegration. Thanks to this, today you can admire the purity of the lines and the fineness of the surface as if it were created much later. Try to get around the fountain slowly now. Watch how the view of the statue changes depending on where you stand. Notice how the superlife size of the figure acts in contrast to the surrounding trees and greenery of the Liberty orchards. This harmony between artificial work and nature is exactly what makes this place more safe and peaceful. It's a place to stop and think. The interesting thing is this combination of old and new. It is rare to see such a bold combination of a baroque base from the mid-eighteenth century with modern realism from the 1950s. Most of the time we try to keep the sights in one style, but there was a unique dialogue between two centuries. It's like old Opava, represented by a pedestal, held and supported by a new Opava, represented by a young woman. Now that you know the story of this beautiful sculpture, I suggest you stay with her for a while. Feel the texture of the sandstone, watch the game of light and shadow on the body of the figure and be absorbed by the atmosphere of these orchards. This statue is a silent witness to the history of the city and a symbol of its constant development. I hope that this short trip to history and art has brought you new knowledge and that you have been able to fully enjoy the beauty of the birth of the new Opava. Now, let's invite you to further explore the area. Freedom sets still have something to offer, and perhaps in the next corner you will find other hidden details waiting to be discovered. We wish you a pleasant continued walk through the town of Opava and enjoy every moment you spend in this historic environment. Goodbye.