Nepomuk

Nepomuk

Visit the birthplace of the most famous Czech saint - St. John of Nepomuk.

The birthplace of the saint, a large Baroque church designed by the famous Baroque architect Kilian Ignatius Dientzenhofer and the Baroque chateau of Zelená Hora - all this can be admired in Nepomuk, a town situated south of Plzeň in West Bohemia. The picturesque atmosphere and a number of historical sites in the surrounding countryside make it a popular tourist destination among Czechs.  
St. John of Nepomuk lived in the 14th century and was made a saint in 1729. He was important also outside of Bohemia and Europe and became the most significant Baroque saint. In the Czech Republic, you will find statues and crosses dedicated to St. John of Nepomuk on virtually every corner. In the lower part of the square, on the spot formerly occupied by an old house believed to be John’s birthplace, there is a majestic Baroque church devoted to him, designed by Kilian Ignatius Dientzenhofer. The small altar in the middle of the church is called John’s cradle as it is believed that it was right here where the saint was born. The interior is an excellent example of Baroque architecture and art. You can admire the organ or the carving work of the old masters, such as the striking pulpit from the 18th century.