Charles Bridge - St. John of Nepomuk's by siffer

Prague - Czech Republic, Hlavni Mesto Praha The first statue placed on Charles Bridge, in 1683, remains the most popular. At this site, St John the court priest was martyred by being tortured and thrown into the Vltava by King Wenceslaw IV. As his body touched the water, 5 stars surrounded his head as depicted in the statue. Legend attributes his unfortunate end to his refusal to divulge the content of the queen's confession to the king. More likely, his invitation to visit Prague to a bishop disliked by the king led to his untimely end. Touching the cross and stars in one lower panel is said to bring good luck while touching a dog in a second panel is associated with bad luck. The bridge is so crowded these days that most people will touch any part of the statue they can get near.

Uploaded: Feb, 05 2011 | Taken: Sep, 30 2006| Viewed: 21 times  | 1 vote Camera: Eastman Kodak Company | Model: Picture Kiosk G4 | Exposure 1/400s, f4.0 | FLength: 6mm | SW: Picture Kiosk G4 KPK V1.1 F3

pesu - Feb, 05 2011 07:02pm The poet Rilke wrote an ironical poem about all the St. Johns of Nepomuks spooking on so many bridges... (http://www.globosapiens.net/pesu/picture-st.-john-of-nepomuk-73827.html)