socha svatého Jana Křtitele v Lubně Statue

Welcome to Lubna, in this quiet part of the city of Nechanice, where time stopped. Right now, you're facing one of the local spiritual and artistic gems that welcomes you with its quiet presence. A Baroque sandstone statue of St. John the Baptist stands before you. The first impression that radiates from it is a sense of stability and deep faith, which is so typical of the period in which it originated. Look at the overall composition. The statue is not only the figure of the saint itself, but forms a harmonious whole with the water element in which it is placed. It's a place that was designed to stop the pilgrim, to make him think and pray.

Let us now look at how this monument was created and in what context it was created. This statue dates back to the first half of the eighteenth century. So imagine the time of the high baroque, when art was a tool that was supposed to trigger strong emotions and show the glory of God and the power of the then noble generations. At that time, it was common for rich donors, so-called donors, to finance the construction of similar statues and chapel to express their gratitude or to ask for protection for their community and family. Although we do not know exactly who was the author of this work today, it is clear that it was a master of skill who was able to develop fine details and a dynamic expression in hard sandstone.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and to what you see right in front of you. The statue of St. John the Baptist is not just on the ground, but placed in a fountain. Notice her floor plan, which is exactly square. The porridge walls are smooth, creating a clean contrast to the richly decorated statue above them. The whole area is closed by sandstone parapet which separates the water surface from the surrounding terrain.

Now lift your gaze above, on the foundation on which the saint stands. It is a prism plinth, which is a truly exemplary element of baroque style. Notice the so-called volutes, which are the elegant snail spirals that decorate the corners and sides of the plinth. These elements give the whole object a feeling of lightness and movement, even if it is made of heavy stone. The upper part of the plinth ends with a profiled ledge which clearly separates the base from the figure of the saint.

If you approach the front of the plinth, you will see a very important detail. A relief alliance coat of arms is carved here. The word alliance here means it's a union of two generations. This sign tells us who the people who paid for the statue were, and they had it built here. These are representatives of the Schaffgotsch and Valdstein families. Both of these families were among the most important and powerful families in the former countries, and their presence in the form of coat of arms in this place is indicative of their influence in the vicinity of Chenice.

Right under the coat of arms you will find a sign that is written in period Czech. Try reading it. The words of Orodug stand for us, Swatý Jen Baptist. It is a simple but strong request for representation and prayer for the people who passed this statue. This inscription brings us back to a time when faith was an integral part of every man's everyday life, from the poorest cottage boy to the highest nobles.

Now let's look at St. John the Baptist himself. The saint is depicted in a cloak that covers his body, and accompanied by a lamb. The Lamb is a key symbol because John the Baptist in the Bible described Jesus as the Lamb of God, who takes the sins of the world. This symbolism was immediately understandable to the visitor at the time and reminded him of the role of John as a herald and a baptist.

When you look at the statue, you might notice that the surface of the stone is not perfectly smooth. This is due to the time and ventilation of sandstone, which is a material that is beautiful and well worked but also vulnerable to the effects of weather. That is why the statue has been repaired several times over the centuries. The first major repair was made in the year one thousand eight hundred forty-seven, i.e. in the middle of the nineteenth century, when it became more careful to preserve old monuments. Another major recovery took place much later, in the years one thousand nine hundred ninety-four and ninety-five, to ensure the stability of the statue and to preserve its details for future generations.

It is also interesting that this statue is not just an ornament, but is officially recognised as a cultural monument. The list of protected cultural monuments was registered in the year one thousand nine hundred fifty-eight. This means that the state recognised its historical and artistic value and decided that it must be protected from extinction. It's fascinating to think how many generations of people this statue has served as a point of orientation, a place of peace or a place of prayer in Lubna.

When you now notice the total involvement of the statue in the landscape. Baroque art has always worked with space. This statue in the porridge was not placed randomly, but should have been seen to form a center of attention in a given place. Imagine how in the summer months the water shined in the fountain and how the figure of St. John reflected in it. It was all meant to create an atmosphere of sanctity and peace.

This monument tells us the story of a union of power and faith. On the one hand, we see the religious humility expressed by the figure of the saint and the supplication in the inscription; on the other hand, we see the pride and status of the noblemen of Schaffgotsch and Valdstein, who have left their coat of arms in the history of this place. It is a silent testimony about how in the eighteenth century the interests of the Church, the nobles, and the locals were mixed.

Now that you have looked at all the details, from the smooth walls of the square porridge to the snail volutes on the plinth to the symbolic lamb at the holy feet, I suggest you stand still for a moment and perceive the atmosphere of this place. The sandstone that you can feel in the air and see in the colors of the statue is a material that breathes through history.

Thank you for spending time with us at the statue of St. John the Baptist in Lubna. We hope that this short trip to the eighteenth century has helped you better understand the beauty and importance of this Baroque monument. We now invite you to explore further the surroundings of Chechanic and their beautiful corners. We wish you a pleasant continued journey and many other discoveries. Goodbye.