Symbolický hřbitov horolezců, Climbing memorial in Hruboskalsko, Czech Republic
The Symbolic Climbers Cemetery is a memorial on the wall of Nekonečná věž (Infinite Tower) in the Hruboskalsko rock town, near Mariánská vyhlídka. Its dominant feature is a cracked sun, beneath which are listed the names of deceased climbers on plaques. The monument was designed by sculptor Jiří Seifert and architect Josef Patrný.
The idea came from sculptor and climber Valerián Karoušek in the 1960s, but he died on the Peru 1970 expedition before it was built. That expedition's victims became the first names recorded. Sculptor Jiří Seifert and architect Josef Patrný designed the memorial, opened in July 1971.
The memorial holds names of climbers who died during their pursuits and serves as a gathering place for the local climbing community to remember them. The names appear on bronze plaques fixed to the sandstone surface.
The memorial is accessible via a yellow-marked hiking trail that connects Sedmihorky spa springs to Hrubá Skála castle. Wear appropriate footwear as the path crosses rocky terrain.
On 2 January 2013, thieves stole ten plaques bearing victims' names from the memorial; police caught the perpetrators on 5 January. The site is maintained by the TJ Český ráj sports club, and a service is held every 24 December for deceased climbers.
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