The Green Gate Relief, Pardubice, Czech Republic - Relief Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

In 1903 decided Pardubice councillors to install on the front side of a Renaissance entrance gate (caleed Green Gate)a relief according the design of famous Czech painter Mikoláš Aleš. It depicts the armorial legend of the Lords of Pardubice, whose coat of arms is used by Pardubice as a town symbol - the half of the horse.

Legend

Knights from Pardubice were renowned for their strength and bravery. Knight Vanek from Pardubice excelled at famous joust in German town Halle which was held by Holy Roman Emperor Henry III. so much that Emperor conceded him „to break his lance two times“. „Then he was endowed plentifully and fame of his name spread both in its country and abroad“.
Even more famous was his descendent Jesek. It was in June 1158,when Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa set out upon his second Italian expedition, accompanied by Henry the Lion and his fearsome Saxons. Together with them, due to the firm alliance of Frederick and Czech king Vladislaus II of Bohemia, fought also a lot of young Czech knights lusting for adventures, hassles and bummels in foreign countries. One of them was Jesek from Pardubice.
Young Czech knights were bored by long lasting beleaguerment of Milan. So, few of them secretely agreed that they attack the town „on their own hook“. They crawled at night under town’s rampart, climbed it , opened the gate and rode in the town. They left their horses near the gate and chased frightened defenders to the main square. There they looked after some plunder. In the meantime Milan’s defenders recovered and attacked against intruders. Young knights had to fall back to the gate. Last of them, Jesek, covered retreat of his friends. As the last man he got to the gate, jumped on his horse and he wanted to leave the town.
“Cut the rope and drop the grate down!” cried the defenders at their gatekeeper. They belived that they capture Jesek alive. The gatekeeper cut the ropes, the grate falled down immediately, Jesek was riding just through the gate, but fortunately stroke only back part of his horse and cut it in two halves.
Jesek turned to the stiffed Italians and cried to them derisively. “I present the half of my horse to you as my gift”. Then he took other half of his horse on his back and carried it off back to the camp. There he was celebrated by his fellows. The king delighted by Jesek’s brave deed, spoke to him in friendly way. “Hail to You, my Hero! Let the half of the horse, which You bring back from the adventurous campaign, be from now in Your coat-of-arms as a commemoration on Your brave deed”.
From these time the rulers from Pardubice have had in their coat-of-arms half of the white horse on the red field.

Your impression of the sculpture?: Date Sculpture was opened for vewing?: 06/01/1903 Where is this sculpture?: Náměstí Republiky (Square of the Republic) Pardubice, Czech Republic Sculptors Name: Mikoláš Aleš Website for sculpture?: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/06/2019 Blogi visited it 05/18/2018 Bella visited it 03/20/2016 Rina. visited it 09/02/2015 Kullisak visited it 04/09/2015 Hertogh visited it 11/22/2014 ALMOR team visited it 05/25/2013 ToRo61 visited it 11/14/2012 Roman-tik visited it 09/03/2012 prussel visited it 01/19/2012 Forsyte visited it 05/31/2011 Farka visited it 05/04/2011 geoblackbirds.cz visited it 03/12/2011 plysa visited it 12/17/2010 cherubin visited it

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