The late 17th-century reliefs at the base of the statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Prague.
In this relief sculpture, a knight stands in the foreground gently caressing his loyal hound.
The dog is so well-loved by passersby that it has come to shine agoldencolor from receiving so many pets.
The late 17th-century reliefs at the base of the statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Prague. (Photo: LAKUR/Depositphotos)
So what is the story behind this adorable tradition?
We have to travel back to 14th-century Prague to learn the story of this bridge and the saint first.
The medieval stone bridge was constructed from 13571402.
Statues at sunset on the Charles Bridge in Prague. (Photo: VITALYTITOV/Depositphotos)
His son King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia later continued the building project.
Today, theimpressive bridgestill stands and is decorated with statues added during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Statues at sunset on the Charles Bridge in Prague.
The statue of St. John of Nepomuk is one of many on the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo: MARINA99/Depositphotos)
(Photo: VITALYTITOV/Depositphotos)
The earliest of these statues is a bronze dating to 1683.
Atop a pedestal stands a representation of the medieval Roman Catholic saint known as Saint John of Nepomuk.
(Photo: MARINA99/Depositphotos)
This position was poor John’s downfall.
This relief shows the martyrdom of St. John of Nepomuk. (Photo: SEARAGEN/Depositphotos)
The kinglikely Wenceslaus IVretaliated by dumping the stubborn cleric into the Vltava River to drown.
He also came to be revered as a symbol of the church’s resistance to encroachment from monarchial states.
This relief shows the martyrdom of St. John of Nepomuk.
Old relief below the statue of St. John of Nepomuk on Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic. According to the legend, touching it brings luck. (Photo: AntonioGravante/Depositphotos)
His statue features a five-star crown, a palm (a symbol of martyrdom), and a cross.
Beneath his figure lie two bronze plaques green with age and exposure.
One features his martyrdom scene.
Legend has it touching thefalling priestand even thequeenupon the bridgeis good luck.
Like these two spots, adogprominently depicted on the other panel is also rubbed to a golden sheen.
According to the legend, touching it brings luck.
Interestingly, old photographs do not show the dog shining golden from many pets.
This suggests that the petting is a 20th-century innovation, despite the age of the statue.
From the statues' creators to today’s tourists, everybody wants to pet a good dog.
