Socha svatého Jana Nepomuckého v Horních Domaslavicích Sculpture

Welcome to the village Horní Domaslavice. You just stopped in front of one of the most important and oldest symbols of this place. You're standing right in front of the statue of St. John Nepomuk. Before you begin to see individual shapes and details, try to look at it as a whole. Feel the quiet, still presence this sandstone figure radiates. It is a work that has been standing here for more than two centuries and testifies to ancient faith, artistic sense, and the changes in the very landscape that you are admiring. The sandstone from which the statue is carved has its own, unmistakable texture and color that changes depending on how the sunlight hits it or how the humidity affects it. This statue is not just a stone, it is a witness to history.

Let us now return together to the deep eighteenth century to understand why this statue is here and how it was created. To understand its meaning, we need to look at 1773. This is the year this work was made. At that time, the shapes of the late Baroque were still strongly manifested throughout the country. This style was not just about beauty, but above all about expression of emotion, about movement and about certain nobility, which was meant to bring man to higher things. The man named Adam J. Grzegorzik was behind this whole creation. He was not just an ordinary man, but a priest who had great influence and significance in this area. It was his personal initiative, his effort to decorate the surroundings and his faith that led to this piece of art being made. Imagine that period atmosphere when this new, noble figure first appeared in the village to remind people of their spiritual roots.

Now pay attention to the details that are right in front of your eyes right now. Look at the saint himself. You see Jan Nepomuk in his traditional priesthood. Feel the algae and layers of cloth that the artist has managed to capture so faithfully and gently in such a hard stone. He has a biret on his head, a typical priesthood hat that gives him dignity and clearly determines his position. You will then see above his head the halos, the symbol of his sanctity and the light he radiates. But the most important thing the statue holds in its hands is a small cross with Jesus crucified. It's a moment of silent worship and deep faith carved by a sculptor hundreds of years ago to express the essence of St. John.

Now look below, what the statue stands on. The figure is not just laid on the ground, but a throne on a graduated block. Notice the beautiful, curved details on the pedestal. There are volute curves, i.e. those typical spiral shapes that are so characteristic of the baroque style and which give the whole part a sense of movement and dynamics. Among these shapes and around them you will find plant motifs. These details link the human work to nature and make the whole whole thing soft. This whole base serves to excel the statue and to elevate it above the normal level of the country.

As we have already mentioned, the key figure associated with this place is vicar Adam J. Grzegorzik. At that time, the role of vicar in every village was absolutely crucial and unrepeatable. He was not only a spiritual leader, but also a man who shaped the appearance of the village, its culture and social life. He was the one who gave the impulse to make this sandstone piece materialize in space. Thanks to his decision and willingness to support the creation of this work, we have the opportunity to see this piece of history today. It is a reminder of a time when the community was closely linked to the church and when art served as a mediator between people and their deities.

Do you feel that the statue has always stood here in this exact place? You're right and you're wrong. Here is one fascinating interesting thing that may surprise you. This statue wasn't always here where you see it right now. She must have had a big, dramatic change. Around 1955, a very large and fundamental building began to be built in the area, namely the construction of the Jedmanicka dam. This building has fundamentally changed the entire landscape and the lives of many people around it. In order for this precious monument not to be lost underwater or destroyed as a result of these great changes, it had to be moved to its present place. It's a fascinating idea of how these heavy pieces of stone had to be moved by then to save it for future generations. It's a story about an old world colliding with a new age.

And one more thing that might interest you if you look very carefully at the pedestal. You may notice something missing. Unfortunately, the original inscription, which was intended to contain the year and other important information about the creation of this work, has not been preserved over the centuries. There was only this silent presence without words, but it speaks much more with its strength than any text. This statue is a bit mysterious, because we lost its original words, but its face and its attitude remained.

This monument is very valuable, as evidenced by the fact that since 1953 it has been included in the official list of protected buildings. It's a confirmation that even a small piece of art is of great value to all of us. I hope that this brief view of history and the detailed view of the statue of St. John Nepomuk at least interested you a little bit and helped you better understand this place. Continue your tour of the Upper Domaslavice, feel the atmosphere of the surroundings and enjoy the beauty of this region. Goodbye.