Bretschneiderovo ucho, Relief sculpture in Lipnice nad Sázavou, Czech Republic
Bretschneiderovo ucho is a stone relief carving that measures three meters in height and depicts a giant ear embedded into the rock face near a former quarry. The work sits within a landscape shaped by past stone extraction.
The sculpture was unveiled on June 23, 2005, as part of a National Monument of Eavesdropping created by artist Radomír Dvořák and local stonemasons. Its creation represented a deliberate artistic engagement with a major social concept.
The name references a secret police character from Jaroslav Hašek's novel The Good Soldier Švejk, reflecting themes of surveillance in Czech society. Visitors can observe this literary and historical connection while viewing the work.
The artwork is accessible via marked hiking trails, with parking available near Lipnice Castle and viewing points across the water. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the paths and the area around the cliffs can be uneven.
The ear relief belongs to a three-part series that includes two other rock carvings: the Mouth of Truth and Golden Eyes, all carved into former quarry cliffs. These three works together form a coherent artistic installation that raises questions about perception.
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