Proboštov II

About the statue of St. Jan Nepomucký: In the summer of 2023, P. Karel Havelka from the Roman Catholic parish of Proboštov contacted the association for assistance in organizing the repair of the statue of St. Jan Nepomucký in Proboštov (the statue is listed among small sacral monuments under the name Proboštov II - see Inventory). He also contacted the mayor of Malečov, the owner of the statue, regarding the same matter. Since the statue is negatively affected by the surrounding trees and bushes, the first step needed is to clear the area. The statue stands by the bridge over the Proboštovský brook on land owned by the state. The felling of shade trees requires the consent of the Regional Land Office. The association applied for approval on 21. 11. 2023 and received a positive response the same day. Since the land is leased, the information about tree felling must be discussed with the lessee. At the same time, the association has begun negotiations with potential restorers to prepare a restoration plan, including a price offer. After selecting a restorer, who must be registered with the Ministry of Culture, the association, on behalf of the municipality, will request the Department of Heritage Protection of the Ústí nad Labem City Council to issue a binding opinion on the restoration of the cultural monument. Application deadline: end of March 2024.

The 3D model was photographed and processed by Pavel Matoušek from Ústí nad Labem on 6. 1. 2024.

Jan Nepomucky sculpture by matousekfoto on Sketchfab

Finally, the selection of the restorer and the submission of the application for a binding opinion on the restoration of the cultural monument took place in February, and on 11. 3. 2024, the association received the relevant decision in its Data Box. Around the same time, a reduced scope of felling was agreed upon against the original plan. Except for one larger tree, which the landowner will not cut down until winter 2024 (marked with a blue circle in the photo), the other trees (marked with a red circle) will be cut down by the end of March this year.

The price offer for the restoration of the statue is 114,000 CZK, including VAT. It is provisionally agreed that these costs will be shared equally by the parish, the municipality, and the association. Assuming this agreement is fulfilled, restoration work could begin in early May and conclude in the fall of 2024.

In the photo from 23. 3. 2024, it can be seen that the area around the statue is already cleared, except for the tree mentioned above.

On 10. 4. 2024, the association received the last financial donation needed to cover one-third of the costs. Subsequently, the restorer, Vít Mudruňka, and the association agreed on the next course of action. The work will begin after coordination with representatives of the Heritage Care Department of the Municipality of Ústí nad Labem and NPÚ ÚOP Ústí nad Labem, once the air temperature consistently exceeds 15°C. After the work is completed, a new 3D model will be created for comparison.

And indeed, on 4. 5. 2024, during the afternoon hours, at a small celebration in the church (see HERE below) and at the chapel (see HERE below) in Čeřeniště, participants received the news that scaffolding had already been erected around the statue and that "someone" was cleaning it with a pressure washer. Yes, restorer Vít Mudruňka and his assistant set up a simple scaffolding around the statue after noon and, after prior agreement with the National Heritage Institute, began the cleaning process. With the kind permission of the Keclík family, as arranged by the chairman of the association, the restorer connected to their electricity and water supply. A hose and a cable approximately 130 meters long then made it possible to clean the statue with pressurized water. Before washing, Vít Mudruňka dismantled the halo so that he could restore it in his studio, including gilding the five stars.

The following photos were taken around 9:00 a.m. on 5. 5. 2024.

Next weekend, specifically on Saturday, 11. 5. 2024, Vít Mudruňka and his assistant began work on repairing the statue by filling in the artificial sandstone where needed. As the photos show, there are quite a few places that require repair.

As can be seen from the following photos taken on 20. 5. 2024, work has progressed. Vít Mudruňka already has the halo with gilded stars ready in his studio. The continuation of the restoration work depends on the weather. It is not possible to work in the rain. It is not so much about the restorer himself, but about the nature of the work—especially during patination, the surface of the sculpture must be completely dry.

On Thursday, 23. 5. 2024, Vít Mudruňka reported that the main work was completed—the patination was finished, the halo was installed, and the scaffolding was dismantled and removed. The method of invoicing was subsequently agreed upon. As of 1. 1. 2024, the VAT rate for restoration work was adjusted from 15% to 21%, increasing the total price, including VAT, to CZK 120,150. After an inspection by the National Heritage Institute, the restorer may make minor adjustments and will then issue a final restoration report. The following photos are from 26. 5. 2024.

On Friday, 14. 6. 2024, restorer Vít Mudruňka and the representative of the National Heritage Institute, Tereza Peerová, met at the statue to evaluate the completed work. The overall result of the statue's restoration was accepted and approved. All that remains is for the restorer to prepare a final report and for the National Heritage Institute to issue an official statement. Based on this, Pavel Matoušek from Ústí nad Labem was asked to create a 3D model.

The blessing ceremony of the repaired statue will take place on the occasion of the Holy Mass in the nearby Church of St. John the Baptist in Proboštov on 22 June 2025 at 16.00. This will be followed by a reception and small refreshments at the local rectory. All are cordially invited!