Socha svatého Filipa Nerejského Statue

Welcome to the heart of historical Prague, a place where every gesture and every stone seems to tell stories of centuries old. You are standing in Hradčanská Square, at the point where the journey up the castle ramp meets the majestic rise to the plot stairs. Can you feel the strange atmosphere that rules here? It's where history stops and allows you to take a closer look. Before your eyes is a monumental Baroque statue that has been watching over this passage for decades, even for centuries. Pay attention to her now, let your eyes flow through her lines and feel the calm that radiates from this work.

Now look closer to the holy figure himself. Note how it is depicted in the priesthood, which gives it nobility and at the same time acts very human. He holds in his hands a missionary crucifix, a symbol of his faith and the relentless paths he made to his mission. Now, if you can, get a little closer and focus your eyes on his heart. You'll see something completely unusual and beautiful - the lily that grows out of his heart. This flower is not just an ornament, it is a powerful symbol of purity and integrity, which perfectly complements his whole attitude. This whole composition, this movement, and this emotion carved by an artist, are supposed to lead you to a deeper sense of his life and message.

Now I want to take you back to when this stone began to turn into a work of art. Let's go back to the beginnings of the seeded century. Imagine a year of a thousand seven hundred fourteen. At that time, it had to be a big deal in order to make such a work possible. It was necessary to obtain permission from the Czech Chamber, which at that time was a crucial step for any important construction or sculpture work. And then everything started. In a thousand and seven hundred and fifteen, the statue was finally finished. But it wasn't one man's work. This statue is the result of an entire family's efforts, which at that time dominated the Prague sculpture craft.

History was created in the workshop of the famous John Brokoff. The main creator was Ferdinand Maximilian Brokoff, but he wasn't alone. His brother, Michal Jan Josef Brokoff, and his father, Jan Brokoff, contributed to his work. Imagine the workshop, the dust from the stone, the sound of the hammer and the rhymes, as the Brokoff family together tried to create something that would last for centuries. This cooperation between father, son and brother has given the work an incredible strength and unity that you can still feel today when you look at the statue.

Now pay attention to how this place changed over time. The statue is not exactly where it was first built. It was originally installed in Hradčanská Square in the year of the thousand seven hundred fifteen, but the time and needs of the city had other plans. In the year of the thousand seven hundred and sixty-four, the statue was transferred to its present place, right here, to the interface between the castle ramp and the plot steps. This relocation has given her new meaning and new coordinates in the space where we meet her today. And even in recent history, people took care of her. In the year two thousand twenty, the statue went through a thorough restoration and care, so that its baroque beauty could preserve its face even for future generations.

And now I'm going to tell you something that may surprise you. This statue, which you now admire as a depiction of St. Philip of Nerei, should not have been what it is from the beginning. It's one of the interesting things we often find in art history. The original intention was different. When she started working on her design, this statue was supposed to represent St. John Sarkandro. How did it happen that the character changed and now carries the attributes of Philip of Nerei? It remains one of those little mysteries that baroque art hides in itself and makes us think about how the perception of saints and works of art changes over the years.

Looking at the statue, you can also recall the names of the people who connected with this place and this piece. In addition to the famous Brokoff family, the name of František Helfrid, Count Vorachický of Pabenice, is also here in history. The history of these people, their ambitions and their influence on what our city looks like today, is an inseparable part of every stone you see here.

Now that you know almost everything you can about this statue, I suggest you look at it once more, but this time not as a mere piece of stone. Look at her as a witness of time, who saw the coming and going of a generation that survived changes in politics and architecture. Feel the connection between the baroque past and your presence.

But don't just stand here. Hradčany offers an infinite number of other treasures waiting for you. Continue along the ramp towards the castle complex, or panic on the stairs to discover the next secret of this place. Every step can lead you to another wonder. Thank you for spending this moment with us and for being interested in the history of this beautiful city. We wish you a beautiful and inspiring next trip to Prague's sights. Goodbye.