DOG IN THE STATUE WITH SAINT JOHN OF NEPOMUK SHINES GOLD AFTER YEARS OF 'PETS
Not surprisingly, there are statues and monuments honoring man's best friend because everyone likes a good dog. The well-known Hachikō dog statue is found in Japan, but another adored dog in a different region of the world is perhaps less well-known. One particular, fabled puppy, framed in a bronze relief on the base of a statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, frequently attracts tourists strolling across Prague's charming old Charles Bridge. A knight is shown in the forefront of this relief sculpture tenderly petting his devoted dog. As a result of getting so many pets, the dog has become so adored by onlookers that it has turned golden.
What is the origin of this cute custom, then? To discover the history of this bridge and the saint, we must first travel back in time to Prague in the fourteenth century. In Prague, Czech Republic, the Charles Bridge spans the Vltava (Moldau) River. The stone bridge was built between 1357 and 1402. King Charles IV of Bohemia, who later became the Holy Roman Emperor, ordered its construction. Later, the construction project was carried out by his son, King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia. The magnificent bridge is still standing today, and statues that were erected in the 17th and 18th centuries adorn it. Due to its location on a picturesque stroll between the Old Town and the Prague Castle, it attracts a lot of tourists.
A bronze statue that dates to 1683 is the oldest of these statues. An image of Saint John of Nepomuk, a medieval Roman Catholic saint, is perched on a pedestal. The priest's life span, which roughly corresponded with the bridge's construction, was from 1345 to 1393. John of Nepomuk confessed to the Queen of Bohemia, according to his hagiography (the life of a saint). Poor John's downfall was this situation. Saint John of Nepomuk refused to reveal the details of his wife's confession when the enraged and envious king demanded to know. The obstinate cleric was dumped into the Vltava River to drown in retaliation by the monarch, who was probably Wenceslaus IV.
It appears that John of Nepomuk was immediately regarded as a martyr defending the hallowed secrecy of the confessional, although not being beatified or canonized until the 18th century. He also gained renown as a representation of the church's defense against the intrusion of monarchical nations. John of Nepomuk was commemorated on the Charles Bridge just before he was declared a saint. His statue has a crucifix, a palm (a sign of martyrdom), and a five-star crown. Two bronze plaques that have turned green from exposure and age rest beneath his figure. One depicts his scene of martyrdom. According to legend, it is lucky to touch the priest who is falling, as well as the queen standing on the bridge. A dog that is prominently portrayed on the other panel is similarly rubbed to a golden hue like these two areas.
Since the saint's biography has no references to "nice lads," it is a little odd why the dog is shown in the panel that prominently features a knight and a dog. The knight and dog, according to experts on the bridge's tales, might stand for responsibility and loyalty, which the priest previously preached to his congregation and church. It's interesting to note that many pets do not appear to be glowing golden in vintage photos. Despite the statue's antiquity, this implies that the petting is a 20th-century invention.
Even though the dog isn't exactly lucky, people obviously enjoy petting it because of its devoted and affectionate nature, which reflects a lifelong love of dogs. Everyone wants to pet a good dog, from the people who made the statues to the tourists of today. For a taste of history and a cute dog, cross the Charle's Bridge the next time you're in Prague.