Socha svatého Jana Nepomuckého (Horní Bradlo) Statue

Welcome to Upper Bradley. Please stop for a moment and take a deep breath. Right now, you're facing one of the silent witnesses of local history that carries the story of faith, the struggle with nature and the care of future generations. The statue of St. John Nepomuk stands before you. The first thing you'll likely notice is her location. The statue is not located at the crossroads or in the centre of the square, as is often the custom of these paintings, but is located in a quiet area of the garden near the building of the municipal office. Note that the whole statue is finely surrounded by a wooden fence which creates a certain private space and also separates it from the surrounding vibrations. This element gives the whole place a sense of respect and peace, making it an ideal place to stop and think.

Now, if you look closer at the work itself, you'll see it's made of sandstone. This material is very typical of our landscapes, but at the same time there is also a trace of time. The statue is performed in Baroque style, which means that in its form you will find the dynamics and depth that was so characteristic of this epoch. Barok didn't just try to be a wild-goose chase, he wanted to create emotions and influence the audience. Although we do not know the name of the particular author who carved this statue, it is clear that it was a craftsman who understood the materials and spiritual messages that the statue should have transmitted. At the time of its creation, this character became the real center of local spiritual life. People came here to beg for protection, to seek solace, or to quietly pay tribute to the saint who is so deeply worshipped in our countries.

Now pay attention to exactly where you are. You might wonder why the statue is standing right here in the garden of the office. The answer leads us to a story that shows how powerful nature can be. Originally, this sandstone figure was not in the safe garden, but was placed much closer to the bank of the Chrudimka River. Water is a source of life for people, but in the case of Chrudim, it has become a threat. Over the years there have been devastating floods that have threatened both stability and the very existence of the statue. In order to save this precious monument from the devastating power of the currents and the undoing of the floor, it was decided to move it. So what you see today is the result of the efforts made by local people to preserve their history despite adverse circumstances. The transfer of the statue from the river bank to the current safety at the municipal office was an act of care and recognition of its value.

When you look at the surface of the sandstone, feel the recent care that has been stored on the statue. In the year two thousand and eighteen there was a thorough restaurant. The work of a restorer is very delicate and requires great patience. The aim was not to create a new statue, but to remove the debris and repair the damage caused by age and weather, so that the original shapes and lines of baroque art would again stand out. Thanks to this repair, we can admire the work today in a much better state than it would have been if it had been left to our fate. This care is part of the wider recognition of the value of the statue, because since the year two thousand and four this building has been officially protected as a real cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This means that the state has recognised that this statue is not just a local ornament, but is part of the national cultural heritage that we must pass on to other generations.

Now let's think about one detail that is not made of stone, but closely linked to the monument. If you look around, notice the surrounding green. There is one very interesting historical detail. In the year one thousand nine hundred twenty-five two linden were planted at the statue. Lipa is our national tree and her presence with St. John Nepomuk is not random. It symbolizes peace, love and national identity. These trees thus supplemented the stone statue with a living element that grew with each year and became part of the overall impression of this place. Imagine what these places looked like in the year one thousand nine hundred twenty-five, when the linden were still small seedlings and the statue began to disappear. It's a beautiful picture of a combination of human faith, art and nature.

You are therefore faced with a work that survived the flood, survived decades of oblivion, and finally gained recognition and professional care. It's fascinating how one sandstone statue can connect different layers of time. From the Baroque time, when she was a symbol of the spiritual centre, to the year one thousand nine hundred twenty-five with planting better, to the modern time with a declaration for a memorial in two thousand four and a subsequent restaurant in two thousand eighteen. All these events are carved into this space, even if you can't see them at first sight.

Feel the atmosphere of this place now. The silence of the garden at the municipal office contrasts with the dynamics of the river Chrudimka, which once threatened to destroy this work. It's where time stopped. Take another look at the Baroque shapes, the texture of sandstone and the wooden fence that guards the statue. It is a reminder that history is not only in books, but is present in the stones that surround us if we only know where to look and how to listen.

I hope this short trip to the past has helped you understand more what you're seeing. The statue of St. John Nepomuk in Horní bradle is a small but important piece of the puzzle that makes up the identity of the region. It is a symbol of endurance and respect for tradition. Now, let's invite you to look around in peace, maybe sit in the vicinity better and let your thoughts float. When you are ready, continue your journey and discover the other hidden corners and stories that this beautiful landscape hides within you. Thank you for spending a moment with us at this monument, and we wish you a pleasant continuation of your exploration. Goodbye.