St. Johannes Nepomuk Statue, Melk
Now recognized as a protected cultural monument, the statue of Saint Johannes of Nepomuk is catalogued as a superb example of high-Baroque art and dates back to 1736, the work of sculptor Peter Widerin.
Observe the saint鈥檚 distinguishing symbols: the priest鈥檚 biretta atop his head, the crucifix he gently holds, and the halo of five stars encircling his brow. These iconographic details are characteristic of John of Nepomuk, whose legend tells that he was martyred in Prague after refusing to betray the confessional seal-thrown into a river from a bridge-and has since become a protector of bridges and safeguard against floods.
Walk all the way around the monument and you will find rich reliefs carved into the pedestal. These sculpted panels tell the life story of the saint, from his pilgrimage and the queen鈥檚 confession, through his torture, the dramatic fall from the bridge, to the recovery of his remains and his elevation into sanctity. In this way, the pedestal acts as a visual narrative of faith and sacrifice.
Observe the saint鈥檚 distinguishing symbols: the priest鈥檚 biretta atop his head, the crucifix he gently holds, and the halo of five stars encircling his brow. These iconographic details are characteristic of John of Nepomuk, whose legend tells that he was martyred in Prague after refusing to betray the confessional seal-thrown into a river from a bridge-and has since become a protector of bridges and safeguard against floods.
Walk all the way around the monument and you will find rich reliefs carved into the pedestal. These sculpted panels tell the life story of the saint, from his pilgrimage and the queen鈥檚 confession, through his torture, the dramatic fall from the bridge, to the recovery of his remains and his elevation into sanctity. In this way, the pedestal acts as a visual narrative of faith and sacrifice.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Melk. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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St. Johannes Nepomuk Statue on Map
Sight Name: St. Johannes Nepomuk Statue
Sight Location: Melk, Austria (See walking tours in Melk)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Melk, Austria (See walking tours in Melk)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Melk, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Melk
Creating your own self-guided walk in Melk is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Melk Introduction Walking Tour
Melk, a charming town on the banks of the Danube River, is best known for its magnificent Melk Abbey, one of Austria鈥檚 most famous baroque landmarks. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river, the abbey is an architectural masterpiece with stunning frescoes, an ornate library housing thousands of medieval manuscripts, and sweeping views of the Wachau Valley. The abbey complex also... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles