In a quiet, secluded forest, the forces of erosion have worked together to create a hauntingly beautiful exhibit of very realistic stone sculptures.
In the north of Czechoslovakia, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Prague, lies a scenic region known as the Cesky Raj, the “Bohemian Paradise’ Heavily forested, the area is celebrated equally for its historic sites and its natural beauty. Of particular interest are its clusters of rock formations hidden deep in dense forests.
The most elaborate of these are the Prachov Rocks, sculpted in a small plateau of sandstone that was formed more than 60 million years ago. Attacked by the forces of erosion, the coarse sandstone has been carved into a labyrinth of narrow valleys and ravines that wind among the fantastically shaped rocks. Some have the appearance of ruined buildings, while others look like humans and animals, motionless but seemingly poised for action. The variety and vividness of these natural sculptures are reflected in the names they have inspired, from the Leaning Tower and the Devil’s Kitchen to the Monk, the Elephant, and the Eagle.