Socha svaté Notburgy Statue

Welcome to the village Bezno. Right now you're standing in the northern part of the village, near the pond, and before you stand a silent witness of ancient times. Look before you at this sandstone form, which carries the calm and depth of centuries. It is a statue of Saint Notburga, who stands here as guardian of the place and a reminder of faith and humility. The first impression of this work is a sense of stability and nobility, which is typical of the period when it was created.

Let us now stop at how this monument originated and at what time it appeared. We are in the first half of the eighteenth century, namely around the year seven hundred twenty. At that time, the era of the baroque was culminating, known for its desire for dynamics, emotions and deep spirituality. It is in this spirit that the statue was created. Although we do not know who was the particular author of this work, it is clear that it was a master of skill who could conjure up fine shapes from hard sandstone. The very location of the sculptures on the village of Bezn probably took place around the year around seven hundred and fifty. So imagine how this statue has been accompanied by generations of locals for more than two walls of years, how it has watched changes in the landscape and how it has become a solid part of the identity of this community.

Now pay attention to the details you see right in front of you. Look up. The whole object, including its pedestal, reaches a height of three and a half meters and six inches. The figures themselves, i.e. the sculpture, measure approximately three feet and six inches. Notice the layout of the scene. The main character is Saint Notburg. In her hands, she holds objects that are symbolic of her, namely rpa and container. These attributes refer us to her life and comparison to work and care. But she's not alone next to her. Notice the figure of the kneeling supporter. This contrast between an erected saint and a humbly kneeling man creates a powerful emotional charge, which was greatly appreciated in the Baroque art. It's a depiction of the relationship between an Earth man and a heavenly protector.

When you move your view below, focus on the base on which the statues lie. Notice two decorative frames called cartouche. In them are depicted coats of arms, which are finished with crowns. These details are very important because they tell us about people who probably contributed or donated to the production and location of the statue. Erby with crowns is a clear sign of noble origin and social status of the then founders. Although the names of particular persons are now in oblivion, these characters remain in the stone as a trace of their presence in Bezna's history.

If we think about the time that passed with this monument, you'll notice that sandstone is not perfectly smooth. After a year of eight hundred years, the material naturally began to age. The surface of the stone reacted to rain, wind and frost, which gave him a certain patina. It's a beautiful reminder that even the stone is subject to time. An interesting detail is also the foundation itself. Originally, the statue was mounted on a wall structure, but in modern memory care, the original footstool was replaced by concrete to ensure the stability of the entire building for future generations.

The interesting thing that might interest you is the combination of characters. It is not so frequent to see Saint Notburg accompanied by a kneeling supporter on such an intimate scale. The whole sculpture works as one storytelling unit. While Notburg represents spiritual leadership and protection, the supporter embodies human hope and a request for help. It is a small theatre scenario written in stone, which encourages us to reflect on our own humility and faith.

Now, if you look at the entire composition again, feel the atmosphere of this place. You stand at the pond, in the silence of the northern part of the village, and before you is a work that survived wars, changes in regimes and weather difficulties. This statue is not just a piece of sandstone, but a bridge between us and the early 18th century people.

I hope this short trip to history has helped you better perceive the beauty and importance of the statue of Saint Notburg. It is a quiet but talkative piece of culture that enriches the space of the village Bezno. Now invited to further explore the surroundings. Walk slowly around the pond, feel the calm of this landscape and let yourself be inspired by the history that surrounds you at every step. Thank you for your attention and we wish you a pleasant rest of the way through the beautiful places of our region. Goodbye.