Národní památník odposlechu (National Interception Memorial) – Lipnice nad Sázavou, Czechia - Atlas Obscura

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Národní památník odposlechu (National Interception Memorial)

Lipnice nad Sázavou, Czechia

This trio of reliefs—an ear, a mouth, and a pair of eyes—carved into the walls of flooded quarries is a monument to spying. 

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In the flooded granite quarries near Lipnice nad Sázavou, a group of young stonemasons led by the Czech artist Radomír Dvořák carved a set of reliefs that measure nearly three meters. Taking the shapes of a giant ear, mouth and eyes, these sculptures were created in memory of spying during the former regimes.

The first part of the monument was Bretschneiderovo ucho (Bretschneider’s Ear), which was carved in 2005. Its name comes from an undercover policeman in the novel The Good Soldier Švejk by Jaroslav Hašek. A year later the next component was added, a set of slightly parted lips known as Ústa pravdy (Mouth of Truth). The final part of the moment was a pair of eyes called Zlaté oči (Golden Eyes) was carved in 2007.

Know Before You Go

The route to the memorial begins at “U české koruny” inn in Lipnice nad Sazavou. After about 1 km, the markers split, the individual reliefs are not far from each other, each located in a different quarry. The whole tour will take at least two hours, you will walk a total of about 4 km.

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October 16, 2024

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