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