Schöne Náci

Juraj Meliš / 1997

Schöne Náci (grammatically correct as Schöner, translated as Handsome Náci/Ignác), real name Ignác Lamár (1897–1967), was a legendary figure on the streets of Bratislava and in its cafés and pastry shops. His contemporaries remembered him as a poor but always elegant, exceptionally polite, kind, and good-hearted man. He wore a tailcoat, patent leather shoes with spats, and a top hat, carried a walking stick, and sported elegant gloves as his trademark accessory. Whilst walking around Bratislava, he would respectfully greet passers-by and occasionally break into song. 

His youth is believed to have involved studies in shoemaking or confectionery, but he later worked as a theatre propman and stagehand. He also helped women in their households by beating carpets, carrying coal, and such tasks. Eventually becoming a lonely and forgotten man, Ignác Lamár died in hospital in Lehnice. Although his funeral took place at the local cemetery, in accordance with his wish to be laid to rest in Bratislava his remains were transferred in 2007 and interred at the Ondrejský Cemetery in Bratislava. 

Today, Schöne Náci is commemorated at the intersection of Rybárska Brána Street and Main Square in Bratislava by a sculpture created by the sculptor and professor Juraj Meliš. The life-size, stylised, rather caricatured aluminium figure of the typically smiling Schöne Náci in a tailcoat and flowing scarf stands atop a grey stone pedestal. His right hand leans on a second grey stone pedestal, while his left hand raises a top hat in greeting to passersby. 

Ceremonial unveiling of the work took place on 26 July 1997 as part of the Korzo Party event that marked completion of the fourth stage of the renovation of the Old Town pedestrian zone. Two other works of art were unveiled nearby on the same day – the statues Napoleonic Soldier (also by Professor Juraj Meliš) and Čumil (by the artist Viktor Hulík). The original plan to create further similar works was later abandoned. 

The statue Schöne Náci has been vandalised several times, requiring repeated restoration and relocation along Rybárska Brána Street. 

The statue is a popular landmark for tourists, who often have their photograph taken under Náci's top hat. Similarly to the nearby Čumil, it has become the subject of various modern legends, superstitions, and stories – all readily told by tourist guides.

PB

Research status as of 15. 06. 2023.


Authorship


Years

  • 1997 – implementation
  • 2004 – modification
  • 2005 – modification
  • 2006 – modification
  • 2007 – modification

Type

Material

aluminium alloy, stone

Technique

casting, cutting, polishing

Dimensions

figure (including top hat) without base – h. approx. 194 cm; base – footprint 49.5 × 79 cm

Inscription

none

Condition

  • preserved
The top hat is stained by a sticker and scribbles.

Registration

  • Located in Monument Zone Central Urban Area, Bratislava.

Owner

  • Staré Mesto City District

Administrator

  • Staré Mesto City District

Address

Rybárska Brána Street

Location details

at the corner of Rybárska Brána Street and Main Square

Plot number

21389

GPS

48.1431590, 17.1083730

Other works in the area

Guard booth with a drinking fountain

Marián Prešnajder, Ján Svítek 2006

Napoleonic Soldier

Juraj Meliš 1997

Drinking Fountain

Alexander Bilkovič 1988

KORZO Stone

Oto Bachorík 2003