St. John Nepomuk Fountain

The St John of Nepomuk monument stands in the middle of Kirchheim in Schwaben’s market square. A life-size statue of the saint in flowing robes crowns a tall column of Muschelkalk limestone. Below the figure a rough-hewn pedestal of more recent date supports the whole work. The base bears the date 1740 and a carved coat of arms showing the arms of Count Cajetan Joseph Fugger and his wife Maria Anna von Stein zum Rechtenstein. The monument is one of the few surviving examples of Bavarian Rococo sculpture in public space. Its delicate drapery and serene expression reflect the artistic ideals of the mid-18th century. The stonework has been carefully conserved so that every fold and feature remains legible. Visitors can walk around the square and view the statue from all sides without obstruction. The surrounding market square is paved with large stone flags and lined with 18th-century houses. On market days stalls spread out from the monument, giving the place a lively yet dignified atmosphere. The square’s scale keeps the monument the undisputed focal point of daily life. Even when the market is quiet, the statue’s white stone stands out against the darker facades.