Sfingy

Sfingy (the Sphinxes) near Měděnec is a small but striking nature reserve in the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) of the Czech Republic, located about half a kilometre southeast of the village of Měděnec, within the cadastral area of Kamenné in the Chomutov district. The site takes its name from the distinctive rock formations whose silhouettes resemble the Egyptian sphinx.

What can you see there?

The reserve's main draw is a group of rock outcrops rising up to 15 metres high, sitting at an elevation of roughly 790 metres above sea level. These pillars were sculpted by frost weathering during the Quaternary period, a slow process that carved the hard rock into unusually tall, jagged shapes over thousands of years. From the top, visitors are rewarded with views over the Ohře river valley and the Doupovské hory range, making it a popular stop along local hiking and cycling routes.

What are the rocks made of?

The formations consist of orthogneiss, a strongly metamorphosed rock that originated as volcanic granite before being recrystallised deep underground under intense heat and pressure. This transformation took place back in the late Precambrian to early Paleozoic era, and the rocks were further shaped by hot silica-rich fluids during the Variscan orogeny around 320 million years ago. Their coarse-grained, two-mica, augen (eye-shaped) texture, with visible feldspar crystals, gives the outcrops their characteristic layered, knobby appearance.

What is the history behind the site?

The area first received legal protection on 15 July 1983 as a protected natural feature, and was formally declared a natural monument (přírodní památka) on 27 April 1990, covering 0.6 hectares. The site's appeal, however, dates back much further: in the first half of the 1870s, an inn called "U sfingy" ("At the Sphinx") was built near the rocks to serve visitors, and it was rebuilt in 1927 under the German name "Sphinxbaude" — a name reflecting the mixed German-Czech heritage of the Ore Mountains region at the time.

How do you get there?

The Sphinxes lie right next to the road connecting Měděnec and Kamenné, so reaching them doesn't require a long trek. A marked cycling route, number 35, also passes directly by the reserve, making it an easy and convenient stop for both hikers and cyclists exploring the Krušné hory.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the rocks called "the Sphinxes"? The formations were named for their resemblance to the famous Egyptian sphinx — their tall, weathered silhouettes echo the shape of the ancient statues.

How tall are the rock formations? The outcrops reach up to 15 metres in height and stand at an elevation of around 790 metres above sea level.

Is entry free? Yes, the natural monument is freely accessible, sitting right beside a public road and a marked cycling trail, with no admission fee.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The viewpoint atop the rocks overlooks the Ohře valley and the Doupovské hory range, and the village of Měděnec itself preserves the character of the former mining region of the Ore Mountains.