socha svatého Václava (Velká Ledhuje) Statue

Welcome to the beautiful garden of the house number hundred sixty-three in the Great Ledger. You just stopped at something that, in this quiet environment, gives you a sense of deep nobility and history. You are standing right in front of the Baroque statue of St. Wenceslas. Look at her, this piece of sandstone that's right in front of your eyes. She's slightly larger than a normal person, which gives her incredible dignity and strength. Feel the atmosphere around this work. It has a sense of peace, but at the same time, of the unresisting force that this saint represents. This sandstone that you see is not just an ordinary stone. It is a material that carries the soul of the earth and that allowed artists centuries ago to breathe inanimate matter into life and movement.

Let us now return together in time and understand how this work came to be. This sculpture is not the work of chance, but the result of masterwork from the time of Baroque art in our countries reached its peak. We estimate it was built around a thousand seven hundred twenty. It was an era filled with emotion, dynamics and efforts to express divine and human interference through art. The statue comes from the workshop of famous sculptor Ferdinand Maximilian Brokoff. Although he did not directly carve it himself, his influence and style of his collaborators are evident here in every detail. Brokoff's workshop was one of the most important art centers in which technical perfection was combined with a deep feeling for form. The work in this circle meant that the statue would have the right degree of drama and elegance that is so typical of the Baroque.

Now pay attention to the details you have right in front of you. Notice how the figure of St. Wenceslas is shown. The sculptor didn't just want to create a still statue, but a work that works live. Notice the center of gravity of the figure. The saint stands with all his weight on his left leg, which creates the right feeling of stability and gentle movement at the same time. In his right hand, he holds the battalion firmly, indicating his role as protector and leader. The left hand then rests on the shield. Take a closer look at this shield. You'll see an eagle depicted on it, a symbol of the sacramento that immediately reveals the identity of this great man. Another fascinating element to which I challenge you is the work of clothing. Notice the richly-processed drapery. These folds of the cloth are not simply carving stone. They are full of depths, shadows and lights that are constantly changing in them, depending on how the sun moves in the sky. These complex shapes of dress give the character movement and feel that svatý Václav can move at any moment.

So who is this man you're looking at? It is svatý Václav, a character that is absolutely vital to our history and our culture. He's a patron, a hero and a symbol that goes beyond centuries. This statue is not just an artistic object, it is an expression of respect for him and his role in our work. When you look at his face and his attitude, you see in him the strength and calm that he should have had the ideal protector of the people.

I also have an interesting thing for you to understand how this work got here, in this garden. This statue didn't always have to be in this place. Her journey was long and full of changes. Originally located in a completely different environment, near the monastery gate in Broumov. Imagine it in that context, as part of a gate that people went through at a very different time. Later she was moved and finally found her new home right here in Great Ledya. In order to secure the statue and to stand safely, in the year one thousand nine hundred and three it was set on a new, profiled plinth on which it stands today. It is also a very valuable piece of our heritage, as evidenced by the fact that since the third May of the year a thousand nine hundred fifty-eight this statue has been included in the list of national cultural monuments. It is protected as a treasure that we have a duty to preserve for future generations.

I hope that this short journey through time through the history and beauty of the statue of St. Wenceslas has reached out to you and helped you see this place better. Before you go on your next journey, stop for a while, perceive the silence of this space and the beauty of this sandstone work. Let this moment pass and enjoy the beauty of the neighborhood. Thank you for your visit and wish you a pleasant continued walk. Goodbye.