| Medieval castles were mysterious places | | | | floor or wall. These mazes were used as |
| and often times they had a maze or a | | | | a way to meditate, undertake spiritual |
| labyrinth. This article looks at the | | | | contemplation, or to simulate a |
| uses of these structures and takes a | | | | pilgrimage. This type of maze or |
| look at some of the more famous ones. | | | | labyrinth was very popular in twelfth |
| Labyrinths and mazes have a long and | | | | century Italy and France. The earliest |
| interesting history and everybody is | | | | surviving maze of this type is the |
| familiar with the story of the Minotaur | | | | labyrinth at Chatres Cathedral in France |
| in the Labyrinth at Knossos. This is the | | | | which was built into the stone floor of |
| famous myth of the labyrinth that people | | | | the cathedral around the twelfth |
| would be sacrificed into. The hero | | | | century. |
| Theseus killed the Minotaur and found | | | | In Great Britain the style of religious |
| his way back out by following a line of | | | | maze never was very popular but they did |
| string that he unwound on his way into | | | | develop their own form and style of |
| it. | | | | outdoor maze that used hedges, trees, or |
| Regardless of how true this myth is or | | | | grass. These served a variety of |
| whether the labyrinth of Knossos | | | | functions including recreation and the |
| actually existed mazes and labyrinths | | | | testing of horseback riding skills. This |
| hold a place of mystery and have often | | | | tradition of hedge mazes continues today |
| been integrated into the building of | | | | and there are many castles that still |
| castles and cathedrals both indoor and | | | | have them that are open to the public. |
| outdoor. And there is a lot of | | | | Some of the more famous ones include the |
| speculation as to their purpose. There | | | | Hampton Court Palace Maze and the Leeds |
| are actually several different theories | | | | Castle Maze. |
| and it is probable their purpose changed | | | | Turf mazes are another style of outdoor |
| over the centuries. | | | | maze that was very popular in Great |
| One of the most important aspects of a | | | | Britain. These were mazes or labyrinths |
| medieval castle was security. They were | | | | that were created by using grass or turf |
| built with the utmost in security and | | | | and being only a few inches tall it |
| safety in mind and this is where a | | | | wasn't possible to get lost in them. |
| labyrinth or maze can further this need. | | | | They are much like a cross between hedge |
| It is theorized, and it makes sense, | | | | mazes and painted mazes. One of the |
| that mazes were often a way to confuse | | | | more famous turf mazes that still exists |
| attacking forces. Soldiers entering a | | | | today is the Saffron Walden maze located |
| labyrinth could easily get disoriented | | | | on the grounds of the ruins of Walden |
| and lost. | | | | castle in England. |
| Another use of the labyrinth is shown by | | | | Medieval castles have a long history of |
| the labyrinth under Buda Castle in | | | | being places of safety, security, and |
| Budapest Hungary. It consists of a | | | | mystery and it is only natural that this |
| network of caves and tunnels that total | | | | mystery is furthered by the use of mazes |
| over six miles in length. An extensive | | | | and labyrinths. And these interesting |
| network like this served as a good | | | | structures had a wide variety of |
| hiding place in times of attack and a | | | | purposes from military to spiritual; and |
| good place to meet in secrecy. | | | | while not a whole lot is really known |
| In the twelfth century the purpose and | | | | about the why of these structures it is |
| building of mazes changed and many | | | | rather fitting because mystery and |
| churches and castles were designed with | | | | secret is, after all, at the heart of |
| mazes that were built right into the | | | | every labyrinth. |