Socha svatého Jana Nepomuckého 1747 Statue

Welcome to one of the most important historical monuments in our city. You are standing right now in front of the statue of St. John Nepomuk in Fryštát, who stands before you as a witness of ancient times. Take off your inner haste for a moment, look around you and let yourself breathe the atmosphere of the place where art is bound and the deep respect of past generations. If you look ahead, you will see the monumental sandstone sculpture of this saint, which was created in the year one thousand seven hundred forty-seven. The figure is greater than the common man, which gives it dignity and nobility, and this whole beauty is sensitively incorporated into the wider church of the Holy Cross.

Let us now look deeper into history and discover how this monument actually arose and at what time it was imprinted in stone. It is the year of a thousand seven hundred forty-seven, and the entire county is ruled by the mighty House of Habsburg, whose shadow is developed by the rich artistic expression of the time. It was this year that the community of local believers, called the Midsummer Brotherhood in Fryštát, decided to leave a permanent mark and pay tribute to their favorite saint. This brotherhood has given an incentive to create a work that we now admire as a valuable cultural monument with a high historical and aesthetic value. The exact name of the creator has not been preserved until today, but the artistic manuscript of the anonymous master is quite obvious in every detail of the stone and carries the typical features of its epoch.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and the details that are right in front of your eyes. The statue of St. John Nepomuk stands on a massive, approximately three metres high four-sided pedestal, which forms a solid and stable base of the entire work. When you slide your eyes over the walls of this pedestal, notice carefully made reliefs and inscriptions in the historical scripture that carry a message for future generations. The sandstone figure of a saint in life size looks down on the passer-by with a calm and conciliatory expression. Feel the texture of the stone, into which the signature was engraved not only by the hands of an old art master, but also by the very time.

Every important monument has its stories and human destinies that have intertwined with it over the centuries, and our statue is no exception. The protection and care of this place did not end on the day of its discovery, but continued through the efforts of people who cared about the fate of the monument. A significant chapter in the history of the statue is the year of the thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, when a thorough repair was carried out under the guidance of a clergyman whose name remained written in chronicles as the Father Karel Hudzietz. This priest took care of the holy place for his own and ensured that the statue could continue to serve its purpose and enjoy the views of the locals. Another necessary recovery took place in the year of a thousand nine hundred seventy-three, when the experts again bowed over the sandstone pedestal and the figure to cleanse it from the teeth of time and preserve it for generations to come.

If you think about how many generations of people have passed this place, you might think about what the statue has experienced and what secrets it carries. It is fascinating to realize that the community that built it has long since wasted time, but their work here stands firmly in place as a silent witness to the transformation of Fryštát. The statue of St. John Nepomuk survived wars, changes in regimes, city changes, and still stands here to remind us of values that persist for centuries. The sandstone from which it is made carries not only the artistic intention of the baroque creator, but also the story of the constant human effort to protect what is beautiful and sacred.

We are approaching the conclusion of our meeting today at this admirable monument. I hope that for you the view of the sandstone figure and its richly decorated base was rewarding and that you took a new look at the history of Fryštát. The area of the Holy Cross Church, the statue of which is an integral part, contains many other stories and beautiful corners worth exploring. When you go on another trip through town, let your curiosity guide your steps and discover further traces of the past. Thank you for your attention, I bid you farewell and wish you a beautiful rest of the day full of nice experiences.