The Čertovy hlavy ('The Devil Heads') are a pair of 9 metre high rock sculptures in the municipality of Želízy in the Central Bohemian Region of Czech Republic.
Čertovy hlavy were created by Václav Levý in 1841-1846. In terms of dimensions, it is a unique work in the Czech Republic. They are the second largest carved heads in the world, after the carvings of Mount Rushmore in the United States.
The sculptures have been damaged by time and weather. In 2011, the private owner had the surrounding pine forest cut down, allowing the heads to be seen from the I/9 road. Further sandstone reliefs can be found near the Čertovy hlavy, known as Harfenice ('Harpist') and Had ('Snake') reliefs.
References:The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.
The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.
The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.
The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.