Skála smrti, Rock wall monument in Kunratice u Cvikova, Czech Republic.
Skála smrti is a 15-meter tall sandstone cliff face above the Svitavka River, carved with reliefs showing a mounted knight and a falling girl. The rock formation rises naturally from the riverbank and provides a dramatic vertical surface for these sculpted figures.
The monument was created in 1910 when Karl Beckert and Karl Bundesmann, members of the Mountain Association for Northern Bohemia, carved the reliefs into the stone. This carving preserved a local legend for future generations through permanent artistic expression.
The carved figures tell the story of a miller's daughter who jumped from the cliff to escape an unwanted suitor and survived, while a knight fell to his death. This local legend is literally etched into the rock and binds folklore deeply to the place itself.
A marked trail of about 500 meters leads from the roadside to the cliff, passing several stone cellars carved into the hillside along the way. The path follows the stream valley and is straightforward to navigate, with the water serving as your guide.
The largest cave nearby once served as a sandstone quarry where material was extracted for polishing glass in local mirror factories. This practical craft has been entirely forgotten today, yet the hollow marks in the stone remain as evidence.
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