Giant's Head, Sergievka, Granite sculpture in Sergievka, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Giant's Head in Sergievka is an oversized granite sculpture carved from a single massive boulder, with only its upper portion emerging above ground. The work displays carefully cut facial features and sits on the grounds of the former estate within a ravine.
The granite sculpture was carved in 1801 while Count Rumyantsev owned the estate, before he later sold it to Emperor Paul I. The work represents an early artistic intervention in the landscape design of the manor grounds.
Lewis Carroll mentioned this stone head in his travel diary during his visit to Russia on August 1, 1867, marking its international recognition.
The sculpture sits in a wooded area beside a natural spring on a steep slope, reachable from the manor house through the grounds. The terrain can be wet and slippery, especially after rain, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
The sculpture features a hole through the bridge of the nose, suggesting it once held a metal helmet or artifact. This puzzling opening hints at an archaeological dimension to the work that speaks to its original purpose.
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