Černý Janek does not ring again, a new replica comes to life in the sculpture workshop
photo: archives
The statue of Černý Janek, the symbol of Uherský Brod, is gone. The alcove on the town hall tower was orphaned. The “guardian” of the city ended up in the hands of the Brno sculptor and carver Patrik Vlček, who will make a new replica. The typical ringing will not be heard in the city for three months, Janek will not return to his place until the end of July.
“Since it is a wooden statue, the weather conditions are already taking hold. The last time the restoration was carried out was in 2011, so it was really time, “said Elen Sladká, a spokeswoman for Uherské Brod City Hall.
Black Janek has been the decoration of the tower since 1723. Legend has it that he saved the city during the siege of Kuruk. Although, I don’t want to. During the Kurucs’ attempt to attack Uherský Brod, he unintentionally alerted the guard in the middle of the night by pulling the rope of the warning bell. The intruder was captured and locked up in a torture chamber. The other Churs fled.
To commemorate the event, Černý Janek rings, as its people called after the blackened face, to this day. His statuette pulls on a rope in the town hall’s alcove every hour, a minute before, before the church’s bells ring.
“The original statue has already been replaced by several copies, the current one has been on the tower for 31 years. The original statuette of Černý Janek by the master watchmaker František Lang is part of the museum collection of Jan Ámos Komenský, “added Sladká. When Janek repaired himself eleven years ago, he received new limbs and a pedestal. “Since it is no longer in very good condition after thirty years, the Brno sculptor will make a brand new replica, which will last for several years,” the spokeswoman said.
The restorer will issue a bill for 220,000 crowns without VAT to the town hall.