Betlém in Nový les near Kuks, Baroque rock sculptures in Nový les, Czech Republic.
Betlém in Nový les is a collection of carved limestone figures built directly into rock formations within a forest. The sculptures portray religious scenes and biblical characters spread throughout the wooded landscape.
A local nobleman purchased this forest in the early 1700s to create a meditation space for visitors to a nearby spa. Artisans then carved the stone figures into the rock between the 1720s and 1730s.
The carved figures tell biblical stories that unfold as you walk through the forest. This sculpture trail was designed as a spiritual path for people seeking quiet reflection.
A marked trail called 'We Will Go to Bethlehem Together' connects the town of Kuks to this forest artwork and guides visitors through the sculptures. The path is easy to walk and clearly marked with signs along the route.
Some of the stone figures bear marks from damage that occurred when portions of the site were removed for materials used in building a nearby fortress. These scars tell a story of disruption that did not fully destroy the work.
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