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Devil's Heads

Devil's Heads are monumental rock sculptures about 9 metres high, depicting devil heads carved into sandstone outcrops in a coniferous forest above the village of Želízy near Mělník in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. They are most likely the work of Václav Levý, one of the most interesting Czech monumental sculptors of the 19th century. Levý carved the sculptures between 1841 and 1846. A blue hiking trail from the municipal office in Želízy leads to the site, and access is free.

Devil\'s Heads carved into sandstone rock formations beneath a clear blue sky.
The Devil\'s Heads monument shows two massive carved faces rising from sandstone outcrops.
September 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Devil\'s Heads sandstone carvings, with two massive carved faces in a forest setting.
The Devil\'s Heads rock reliefs in Želízy, showing two large carved faces in sandstone outcrops.
© Barocco · CC0
Devil\'s Heads sandstone carvings in a forest, showing two large stone faces on the outcrop.
The Devil\'s Heads sandstone reliefs rise from the forest floor near Želízy, Czech Republic.
© Petr1868 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Devil\'s Heads carved into sandstone outcrops on a wooded hillside.
Devil\'s Heads, two large carved faces set into sandstone rocks on a forested hillside.
July 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Devil\'s Heads sandstone carving with a bearded face and etched symbols across the rock surface.
Devil\'s Heads in Liběchov, showing a weathered sandstone face covered with carved letters, numbers, and symbols.
March 2013 © elPadawan · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleDevil's Heads
Original namesDiabelskie Głowy; Čertovy hlavy; The Devil Heads; Чортові голови
TypeMonumental rock sculptures; carved heads
SubjectDevil heads
Number of headsTwo

Creator

SculptorVáclav Levý
Artist descriptionOne of the most interesting Czech monumental sculptors of the 19th century

Historical context

Date created1841–1846

Discovery and provenance

Site selectionLevý chose a poor location because of limited experience

Physical characteristics

ConditionDamaged by time and weather, especially by visitors climbing on them
Rock structureSandstone interbedded with layers of kaolin
LocationMunicipality of Želízy, Central Bohemian Region, Czech Republic
MaterialSandstone outcrop; sandstone
SettingIn a coniferous forest above the village of Želízy, near Mělník, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic
Height9 metres

Technique

TechniqueCarved with an axe and a small pick; probably also a chisel and hammer in harder sandstone

Appearance

Facial featuresOne head has an open mouth; the other is baring teeth; both heads have large, deeply set eyes

Significance

Size rankSecond largest carved heads in the world, smaller only than the carvings of Mount Rushmore in the United States

Location and ownership

AccessFree of charge
Access routeVia the blue hiking trail from the Municipal Office in Želízy
Visibility changeIn 2011, the landowner cut down the surrounding pine forest, making the heads visible from the I/9 road
Nearby related worksHarfenice ('Harpist') and Had ('Snake') sandstone reliefs nearby; reliefs at the entrance to the artificial cave Klácelka about 1 km to the south