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