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Medieval Castles and their Mazes and Labyrinths

Medieval castles were mysterious placesfloor or wall. These mazes were used as
and often times they had a maze or aa way to meditate, undertake spiritual
labyrinth. This article looks at thecontemplation, or to simulate a
uses of these structures and takes apilgrimage. 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 andcentury Italy and France. The earliest
interesting history and everybody issurviving maze of this type is the
familiar with the story of the Minotaurlabyrinth at Chatres Cathedral in France
in the Labyrinth at Knossos. This is thewhich was built into the stone floor of
famous myth of the labyrinth that peoplethe cathedral around the twelfth
would be sacrificed into. The herocentury.
Theseus killed the Minotaur and foundIn Great Britain the style of religious
his way back out by following a line ofmaze never was very popular but they did
string that he unwound on his way intodevelop their own form and style of
it.outdoor maze that used hedges, trees, or
Regardless of how true this myth is orgrass. These served a variety of
whether the labyrinth of Knossosfunctions including recreation and the
actually existed mazes and labyrinthstesting of horseback riding skills. This
hold a place of mystery and have oftentradition of hedge mazes continues today
been integrated into the building ofand there are many castles that still
castles and cathedrals both indoor andhave them that are open to the public.
outdoor. And there is a lot ofSome of the more famous ones include the
speculation as to their purpose. ThereHampton Court Palace Maze and the Leeds
are actually several different theoriesCastle Maze.
and it is probable their purpose changedTurf mazes are another style of outdoor
over the centuries.maze that was very popular in Great
One of the most important aspects of aBritain. These were mazes or labyrinths
medieval castle was security. They werethat were created by using grass or turf
built with the utmost in security andand being only a few inches tall it
safety in mind and this is where awasn'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 confusemore famous turf mazes that still exists
attacking forces. Soldiers entering atoday is the Saffron Walden maze located
labyrinth could easily get disorientedon the grounds of the ruins of Walden
and lost.castle in England.
Another use of the labyrinth is shown byMedieval castles have a long history of
the labyrinth under Buda Castle inbeing places of safety, security, and
Budapest Hungary. It consists of amystery and it is only natural that this
network of caves and tunnels that totalmystery is furthered by the use of mazes
over six miles in length. An extensiveand labyrinths. And these interesting
network like this served as a goodstructures had a wide variety of
hiding place in times of attack and apurposes 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 andabout the why of these structures it is
building of mazes changed and manyrather fitting because mystery and
churches and castles were designed withsecret is, after all, at the heart of
mazes that were built right into theevery labyrinth.



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