Czechia is home to twelve different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each one with something different to offer visitors. One of these sites, Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk, is a uniquely designed and beautiful building that has a fascinating history.
Statue of St. John of Nepomuk.
Exterior view of the church.
The building is dedicated to the 14th-century Bohemian saint St. John. Born in the town of Nepomuk, rumors surrounded his death. One legend states that King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia murdered him after St. John refused to divulge information given in the queen’s confession. Another says that the king ordered him to be thrown off of the Charles Bridge after St. John became embroiled in some political scheme. When his tomb was opened 300 years later to reveal what appeared to be his still living tongue, he was canonized, and a church was commissioned in his honor.
The Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk can be found on a hill near the Moravian town Žďár nad Sázavou. The church was designed by then-famous Czech architect Jan Blažej Santini Aichel. After eight years of construction, it was completed in 1727 in a style that lies somewhere between Baroque and Gothic. This blend of styles and the building’s preservation despite a fire in 1784 are factors that contributed to it becoming a World Heritage Site.
Main building surrounded by the star-shaped cloister.
Main altar of the church.
A center church was built, followed by the star-shaped cloister that now surrounds it. The number five is utilized in the design in multiple ways, as the church has five entrances and five altars, and the cloister has ten points. This number is used to reference the five stars in the halo of St. John, representing his five virtues. Many of the original elements designed by Santini, such as the main altar that depicts the saints in heaven, remain in the church today. However, a tongue-shaped replica is currently on display rather than the object found in the tomb.
This church was declared a cultural treasure because of its excellent example of the transitionary period between Baroque and Gothic architecture. The addition of the unique history behind the church and the symbolism that can be seen there makes the Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk an interesting place to visit for anyone in the Czech Republic.
Written by Erin Schachtner.