Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Czechia Želízy Harfenice Cave
AO Edited

Harfenice Cave

Human figures and faces are carved into the sandstone surrounding this cave in Czechia.

Želízy, Czechia

Added By
Cassandrecrz
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The set of reliefs got their name from the central figure, a seated girl with a harp. The set also includes five monumental heads and a cave with sphinx heads on the portal. All these sandstone sculptures were carved by a single person, Václav Levý, a former chef from the castle in Liběchov. He sculpted for his pleasure in his free time between 1840 and 1845.

Reliefs of human heads are depicted on the rock, next to them is a cave a relief of a woman with a harp. The form of Harfenice (Czech for "the harp player") is not as distinct as it may have been when it was first carved, but the strings of the small harp are still distinct.

Among Levý's other works in the Kokořín region are the nearby Devil Heads and the decoration of the Klácelka cave. For this, he used classic tools, which are simpler for carving sandstone—he just needed an ax and a small pickaxe. Where the sandstones are larger and harder, he probably used a chisel and mallet.

Related Tags

Sculptures Art Outside

Community Contributors

Added By

Cassandrecrz

Published

July 10, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://thebrainchamber.com/harfenice-cave-felsskulpturen-harfenspielerin/
Harfenice Cave
Silnice bez názvu
Želízy
Czechia
50.434858, 14.452845
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Devil Heads

Želízy, Czechia

miles away

Melník Chapel of Bones

Melnik, Czechia

miles away

Skalní obydlí Lhotka (Cliff Dwelling in Lhotka)

Lhotka, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Želízy

Želízy

Czechia

Places 2

Nearby Places

The Devil Heads

Želízy, Czechia

miles away

Melník Chapel of Bones

Melnik, Czechia

miles away

Skalní obydlí Lhotka (Cliff Dwelling in Lhotka)

Lhotka, Czechia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Želízy

Želízy

Czechia

Places 2

Related Places

  • This scenic park on the shores of Lake Ontario is open 24/7.

    Toronto, Ontario

    Sundial Folly

    An enigmatic concrete structure in a lakeside Toronto park raises more questions than answers.

    Sponsored by Destination Toronto
  • Gijón, Spain

    Elogio del Horizonte

    This modern sculpture looks out over the sea and amplifies sound from the inside.

  • Basel, Switzerland

    Hammering Man

    This 42-foot tribute to the workforce still reminds us to pause and recharge.

  • Hello from the stone Gingerbread Man.

    Cassel, California

    Packway Sculpture Park

    A whimsical display of massive metal sculptures made from recycled materials.

  • Austin, Texas

    ‘Malin’s Fountain’

    An 18-foot-tall troll sculpture, made from recycled wood and materials found in nature.

  • Savannah, Georgia

    ‘Black Holocaust Memorial’

    Papier-mâché folk art recognizing horrors of slave trade.

  • Datenträger (Data Carrier).

    Lübeck, Germany

    ‘Datenträger’ (‘Data Carrier’)

    Rusted humanoid clutching a laptop and trailing cables.

  • Despite how it seems, this photo has not been stretched.

    Seoul, South Korea

    ‘Jangdokdae’

    A family of distorted sculptures stands outside Seoul's former imperial palace.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.