Symbolický hřbitov horolezcû

Symbolický hřbitov horolezců (the Symbolic Cemetery of Climbers) is an open-air memorial in the heart of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj), dedicated to mountaineers who died in the mountains. It sits inside the Hruboskalsko rock town (Hruboskalské skalní město), by the Mariánská vyhlídka lookout, roughly 1.5 km north of Hrubá Skála castle, at the foot of a rock wall known as Nekonečná skála (the Endless Rock). Administratively the site lies in Doubravice, a village that forms part of the Hrubá Skála municipality in the Semily district, Liberec Region.

Where did the idea for the cemetery come from?

The idea of creating a symbolic memorial for climbers who lose their lives during mountain expeditions dates back to the 1960s. It was conceived by sculptor and climber Valerián Karoušek. Karoušek himself died in 1970 during an expedition in the Peruvian Andes, before his idea could be realized. That tragedy became the direct impulse for building the memorial — the members of the Peru expedition, including Karoušek, were the first names commemorated on its plaques.

Who designed the memorial, and when was it built?

The memorial was created by academic sculptor Jiří Seifert and architect Josef Patrný. It opened in July 1971. The central element of the composition is a cracked sun carved into the rock face, beneath which plaques bearing the names of deceased climbers are mounted.

Whose names appear here?

The plaques list people who died while engaged in activities recognized by the Czech Mountaineering Association (Český horolezecký svaz) — rock climbing, bouldering, indoor wall climbing, and ski mountaineering. Over time, names of climbers who died during the Second World War and in later periods were added retroactively. Today the memorial carries more than 130 names, belonging not only to climbers connected with the Bohemian Paradise but to mountaineers from across the country. Every year on December 24, climbers and relatives gather here for a commemorative ceremony.

How do you get there?

Marked hiking trails lead to the site. One route follows the yellow trail from the junction at Adamovo lože toward the Mariánská vyhlídka lookout. Another starts at the Sedmihorky spa and crosses a sandy stretch known as Sahara, passing the cemetery on the way; alternatively, the yellow trail from the Antonínův pramen spring reaches the site after about half an hour on a forest path. Both routes wind through the scenic woods of Hruboskalsko, part of the Český ráj protected landscape area and a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Frequently asked questions

Is this an actual burial site? No. It is a symbolic memorial — no one is buried here. The name plaques are purely commemorative.

Is admission free? Yes. The site sits in the open air, in the forest, and can be visited at any time free of charge.

Are only climbers from the Bohemian Paradise commemorated here? No. Among the more than 130 names are climbers from across the country, not only those tied to this specific region.

What does the cracked sun symbolize? The cracked sun sculpture, created by Jiří Seifert and Josef Patrný, is the memorial's central artistic feature — it represents lives cut tragically short.

When are ceremonies held here? Every year on Christmas Eve (December 24), climbers and the families of the deceased gather at the cemetery to pay their respects.