Polski
Stone, historic statue of St. John of Nepomuk from the 18th century.
John of Nepomuk his real name was Jan Welfin. He lived in the 14th century and was a Czech from the town of Pomuka, which is now called Nepomuk (hence his nickname). According to history, he was the confessor of the wife of the Czech king Wenceslaus IV of Luxembourg. In 1393, King Wenceslaus tried to create a diocese independent of secular authorities and the influence of the Archbishop of Prague. Through intensified repressions, he tried to influence the canons. Despite the signing of the agreement between the archbishop and the king on March 19, the following day he arrested four laymen: Něpra, Nepomucen, Mikuláš Puchnik and Václav Knobloch. They were all tortured. Of the four, three of them were released. Only John of Nepomuk was left, who was close to death. The royal dignitaries decided to bind and gag the canon and then transport him to the Charles Bridge, where he was thrown into the Vltava River. On March 21, Jan's body was fished out and buried in the Church of the Holy Cross.
According to some historical sources, John of Nepomuk died because of King Wenceslaus IV's refusal to reveal the secret confession of his wife, Zofia of Bavaria. The king planned to annul the marriage and was looking for arguments for this, because he wanted to marry Joan, the princess of Aragon.
John of Nepomuk is the patron saint of bridges, Jesuits, Prague, confessors, good fame and drowning. He is also an advocate during floods.
