Beyond the scorching sands of the desert lie the gates to hell. Welcome to hell, or at least a sandy version of Dante’s Inferno. Evil sand sculptures brought to you from master sand sculptors. Photo #1 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
Welcome to Dante’s Hell. In the pre-circle is “Charon the Ferryman.” 18 sand sculpture artists at the Jesolo Lido theme festival were asked to create Dante’s Inferno with sand. Their inspiration for the evil yet amazing art was to come from Canto III of Dante’s Inferno, verses 1-9: Dante stands at the edge of the world of damned souls and reads: Through me is the way into the woeful city; through me is the way into eternal woe; through me is the way among the lost people. Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom and the primal Love made me. Before me were no things created, unless eternal, and I eternal last. Leave every hope, ye who enter! The result sandy results depicted scenes from hell as sand sculptors some of the most famous characters, scenes, and mythological figures from Dante’s Inferno. Photo #2 by © Gael Reignier
Outside of the 9 circles of Dante’s Inferno were a few scenes including “Virgil and Dante descend into Hell”. This is another shot of “Charon the Ferryman” in the pre-circle to give you a better look at the incredible detail that sand masters can sculpt. According to Dante’s Inferno, Charon pilots Virgil and Dante across the river Acheron and into Hell. Photo #3 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 1 of Hell was “Limbo.” Dante wrote, Let us descend into the blind world. Photo #4 by © Marco Rizzetto
The Second Circle of Hell was Lust. This sand sculpture for Circle 2 was called “The Lustful.” According to Dante, those in this level of lust hell: . . . no hope ever comforts them, not of repose, but even of less pain. Photo #5 by © Marco Rizzetto
Each circle at Jesolo Lido sand festival started with an intricately wicked number. This is the evil sand sculpture for entering Circle 3 of Dante’s Hell. Dante recorded …new torments and new tormented souls I see around me wherever I move, and howsoever I turn, and wherever I gaze. Photo #6 by © Gael Reignier
The Hounds from Hell in the Third Circle were called “The Cerebrus.” Photo #7 by © Marco Rizzetto
We rather liked the killer hounds of hell. It reminded us of the sandman bringing his own sandy version of a nightmare. Om nom nom nom – ready to eat you as this level of hell involves Gluttony. Photo #8 by © Gael Reignier
Would you dare get this close to the vicious hound from hell? Photo #9 by © Gael Reignier
Also in Circle 3 were “The Guttons.” Photo #10 by © Gael Reignier
Up close and personal with one of the begging gluttons. Photo #11 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 4 of Dante’s Inferno was a sand sculpture representing “The Avaricious” since the Fourth Circle represents Greed. Photo #12 by © Marco Rizzetto
Roasting in Dante’s Hell, Circle 5 sand sculptures. Photo #13 by © Gael Reignier
This level of hell involves Anger. Circle 5 had two superb sand sculptures. The first in the fifth circle of hell were lost souls caught for eternity in the “The River Styx.” Photo #14 by © Gael Reignier
The River Styx flowed into the City of Dis. Photo #15 by © Marco Rizzetto
“City of Dis” – Circle 5 of Dante’s sandy hell. Photo #16 by © Gael Reignier
Dante’s Inferno sand sculpture details in “The City of Dis.” Photo #17 by © Gael Reignier
Dante’s Hell where Circle 6 sand sculptures are about Heresy. Photo #18 by © Gael Reignier
“The Heretics” from hell in Circle 6. Photo #19 by © Marco Rizzetto
More sand sculptures from the Sixth Circle of Dante’s Inferno and “The Heretics.” Photo #20 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 7 was large and began with the sand sculpture of a skull called “The Reaper.” The Seventh Circle of Hell deals with Violence. Photo #21 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 7 then moved to “The Minotaur.” Photo #22 by © Gael Reignier
Next stop in Dante’s Hell within Circle 7 is the “Harpies Taunting the Suicides.” Photo #23 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 7 closeup of sand sculpture “Harpies Taunting the Suicides.” Photo #24 by © Marco Rizzetto
Last stop in the Seventh Circle of hell was “The Centaurs.” Photo #25 by © Gael Reignier
You are now leaving Circle 7 and “The Centaurs.” Photo #26 by © Marco Rizzetto
Evil in Dante’s Hell. One of President Kennedy’s favorite quotations was based on an interpretation of Dante’s Inferno: . . . ‘The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.’. Photo #27 by © Gael Reignier
The Eighth Circle of Dante’s sandy Inferno is huge and deals with sins of Fraud. Photo #28 by © Gael Reignier
Coming up on “Greyon the Guardian” within Circle 8. Photo #29 by © Marco Rizzetto
Up closer to the winged-beast. Photo #30 by © Gael Reignier
Dante’s Hell Circle 8 sand sculpture. Photo #31 by © Marco Rizzetto
Circle 8 closeup of devils in Dante’s Inferno. Photo #32 by © Marco Rizzetto
Circle 8 “The Simonists.” Photo #33 by © Gael Reignier
Another wicked one within Dante’s Eighth Circle. Photo #34 by © Gael Reignier
The more life changes, the more it stays the same. From Dante’s 14th century Inferno, “The Corrupted Politicians.” Photo #35 by © Gael Reignier
Eternal damnation awaiting corrupted politicians in Dante’s Hell – Circle 8. Photo #36 by © Marco Rizzetto
“The Corrupted Politicians” closeup. This is particularly impressive as if the master sand sculptors really got into it. Perhaps they knew a few fraudulent politicians who they might like to see damned to a similar fate? Photo #37 by © Marco Rizzetto
Up next in the Eight Circle is “Ulysses’ Shipwreck” sand sculpture at Jesolo Lido and Dante’s Hell. Photo #38 by © Marco Rizzetto
“When Hell Freezes” in Circle 8 of Dante’s Inferno. Photo #39 by © Gael Reignier
Last stop in Circle 8 is “Count Ugolino Gnawing the Head of the Archbishop.” Photo #40 by © Gael Reignier
Circle 9 of Dante’s Inferno is especially evil as well as details to blow your mind. The Ninth Circle is “Satan.” Here is the sand demon’s creator at Jesolo Lido. Photo #41 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
The making of a sand demon. Photo #42 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
According to Dante’s Inferno,the Ninth Circle of Hell was reserved for the sin of Treachery. The very center of Circle 9 is where Satan is condemned to dwell for committing the ultimate treachery against God. Photo #43 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
Dante described Satan as a giant, terrifying beast with three faces, one red, one black, and one a pale yellow: he had three faces: one in front bloodred; and then another two that, just above the midpoint of each shoulder, joined the first; and at the crown, all three were reattached; the right looked somewhat yellow, somewhat white; the left in its appearance was like those who come from where the Nile, descending, flows. Photo #44 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
Incredible details on the sand demon aka Satan from Dante’s Hell. Photo #45 by smo9monster at Skull Brain
Eye of sandy Satan and last stop. Time to get the hell out of Dante’s Inferno. We hope you enjoyed the blend of culture the masters created with these amazingly evil sand sculptures. Photo #46 by © Gael Reignier
Puff puff pass ;’)
right own!!
Mighty impressive work (how did the artist manage to get the filigiree effect with sand ?)
I have seen some stuff via stumble upon before but this is some of the best art I have seen, well done you talented mofo!
did anyone else notice in the picture with the caption “another wicked one within dante’s eight circle” that the sculpture is wearing sandy crocs?
Good observation!
I have lived at the beaches of the US for the last 10 years..this by far is the best sand sculpting I have ever seen….makes you think!!
amazing………
Magnificent. If only the lessons inherent in these sculptures and Dante’s writings were comprehended and applied in today’s corrupted culture.
[…] Welcome to Hell: Wicked Sand Demons from Dante’s Inferno [46 PICS] Posted by: Nuno Roberto Posted date: August 2, 2011 | No comment GD Star Ratingloading… 1 […]
Amazing!!! I’d like to take a flight to italy just to check it by myself. Really wonderful!!
My family and I visited in 2009 and saw these sand sculptures. These pictures are amazing, but the sculptures are 10 feet hight. The numbered ones tell you the order in which to view them. If you have time to visit Lido de Jesolo, stay there. BUT, you should really go on an odd numbered year (2011, 2013, 2015) because a 30 minute boat ride to Venice brings you to the Bianale, a biannual contemporary art festival. Every country in the world is invited to send their best contemporary artist for display. If you enjoy looking at these sand art sculptures, you’ll enjoy Venice too.
Good job with the pictures too! Best I’ve seen so far!
that was awesome lols
thats some realy good work i like the three headed dog
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Yes… very nice! But the question is: Will it blend?
I am the one who carved the politician scene, in the river of tar.The team was The Sultans of Sand crew led by Rich Varano, Ray Villafane did the center piece.
thrilled to come across these! brilliant-the best!
Being a man who lives in the land of hell, these carvings truly depict the scenes of life that I view everyday here in Las Vegas or Hell.
Oh I think this is all GROSS IM NEVER GONNA GO TO H E L L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK?
[…] fragile castles of sand. In fact, most sandcastles are not castles at all but, amazing works of sand sculpture art. This is a mixture of nature, of art, of science. Physicists theorize that even more massive sand […]
[…] The International Sand Sculpture Festival was held in Venice, Italy, on the beach of Jesolo Lido. The Sultans of Sand Worldwide brought together 18 incredibly talented master sand sculptors from 9 countries. 2,000 tons of sand were used to craft 24 different scenes from the 9 circles of hell in Dante’s Inferno. Some of these wildly wicked sculptures stood over 4 meters (13 feet) high and were built in only 10 days! While professional sand sculptors can carve out both amazing and sometimes bizarre creations, the intricate designs of these giant sand demons make this one of the most mind-blowing, bizarre, and unforgettable International Sand Sculpture Festivals ever. A very special thank you to photographers Marco Rizzetto and Gael Reignier for granting me permission to post their copyrighted pictures that show off all 9 circles of Dante’s Inferno. Get ready to traipse through the nine levels, “circles,” of hell: Limbo, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Anger, Heresy, Violence, Fraud and Treachery. [46 Photos] […]
I LOVE IT!! I know most religious people would freak out if they saw stuff like this, but being an artist, I think it’s beautiful!