Statue Saint John Nepomucenus - Bruges

This statue dates from the 18th century and is located on the Nepomucenus Bridge in Wollestraat. It is a design by Pieter Pepers from 1767. Note the crucifix and the devotional lanterns. The saint has a halo with five stars around the head. The five stars represent the five letters of the word tacui (I was silent).

The bridge, so-called Grote Eeckhoutbrug since 1282, was built in 1357 by the Bruges master mason Jan Slabberd. However, the bridge was already renovated in 1642. The "pijnders" or burden bearers were given permission in 1421 to build a chapel on it, which was replaced in 1767 by the statue of saints . It was not until 1767 that the name was changed.

In 1795 it was thrown into the line by the Jacobins. But Nepomucenus saves you from drowning and flooding . So he did not drown and was put back on his pedestal in 1811.

An anagram is found on the bluestone pedestal . The letters of the name Sanctus Joannes Nepomucenus are used in a different order and thus a different (Latin) text is obtained:

"Sanctus Joannes Nepomucenus"

anagram

and pie mutus

and os non accusans"

and below

"Reposit 1 Maii MDCCCXI"

Loosely translated, this means something like:

“Saint John Nepomucenus

anagram

See a stupid out of duty

See a mouth that does not accuse.”

and below

Reassigned on May 1, 1811.

Legend:

Johannes Nepomucenus was born between 1340 and 1350 in the town of Pomuk in Bohemia. He also preached repeatedly in the Dom Church and because of his wise and intelligent sermons people came from far and wide to listen to him. His performance did not escape the attention of the then King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia . In order to bind Johannes to himself, he offered him a position at court. Johannes declined the offer. He only accepted the office of the Queen's personal confessor , Sophia of Bavaria.

Wenceslaus was furious when Johannes refused to reveal whether or not the queen confessed that she had a lover . He was arrested and horribly tortured and thrown from the Charles Bridge into the Vltava and drowned .

John was canonized in 1729 by Pope Benedict XIII. He is the patron of Bohemia, of confessors, priests, boatmen, millers, of the secret of confession, of silence, of water threats and of bridges. His feast day is May 16.

To this day, the site of his torture on Charles Bridge is marked by a red marble slab .

He is usually depicted as a priest in black cassock, white surplice, stole and a bonnet on. He is often adorned with five stars around the head, which are explained as tacui (Latin for "I have been silent"). In doing so, he sometimes puts an index finger on his mouth, symbolizing the secret of confession for which he is said to have given his life. Under his arm he has a crucifix (martyrdom) and a palm branch, symbol of victory over evil.

Willem Vandenameele