The rock formation is a part of the chin range, which stretches in an arc from Záhorie through Sulov, Orava, Pieniny further towards Romania. The rock cliff of unusual shape may have served the ideological needs of ancient civilizations and its appearance has not changed for thousands of years and still dominates the surroundings.
The oldest preserved name is Sleeping Giant. After the 10th century AD it was renamed to Sleeping monk, it was related to the conversion to the Christian faith. They lived here Benedictine monks, who had a centre over Kamenicou. The local name Remety is a proof of the eremite activity in hermitages. The newer names of the rock formation are Sleeping Prince, Indian, Stone Woman, Stone Baba and Sleeping Maiden.
The names derive from the resemblance of the hill resembling a reclining man. Already from the road you can clearly see the huge human head, neck and chest. The sleeping monk has in its centre „The Gate of Paradise“ - a cave with its entrance facing the sun, which channeled the magical power of the sun, which shone through it on important days of the calendar year - the solstice equinoxes. You will also find here the locally called Perun's Cave, which is passable on both sides, artificially made, about four metres high, with a length of almost 12 metres. On the stones and smaller rocks around the Sleeping Monk are a large number of paintings and figures, concentrated around openings in the rocks. It appears that by using an artificial trench people formed the neck, over time people formed the reclining figure. On the surface, they created imitations of animals out of the rocks. You can find formations that look like a mouse or a falcon. On the right is a bar ending with a massive sculpture / estimated 12 to 15 meters /. A mysterious mythical face with large rectangular dragon eyes called Kukla was carved into the rock. The face resembles a character from the legendary Czech fairy tale Kukla - the Golem. On the right you will find a separate hilltop cliff, which is shaped like a cone. There are stone paths on its upturned side.
Sleeping monk Kamenica, is one of the more natural rock sanctuaries, of which there are several in the immediate vicinity, such as the high Sokol - Sokolia skala.
The Sleeping Monk is located above the village of Kamenica and is already visible from a distance. It is accessible on foot in 20 min. walk from the car park on the road: Prešov - Lipany - Stará Ľubovňa.



