In search of Labyrinth and Maze in Prague

If you are looking for something unusual and relaxing at the same time, visit one of the labyrinths or mazes in Prague. They are easy to find and definitely worth a visit.

A labyrinth and a maze are two different things. A labyrinth has one continuous path leading to the centre. As long as you keep moving forward, you will eventually reach the middle.

A maze has multiple paths that branch off and do not necessarily lead to the centre. In a maze you can get lost, sometimes deliberately with dead ends, but in a labyrinth the path leads to the middle and you cannot get lost.

Three labyrinths and two mazes in Prague

1. Vyšehrad labyrinth
2. Petŕin labyrinth
3. Troja labyrinth

1. Petřin mirror maze
2. Mirror maze in Hamleys

Three Labyrinth in Prague

The Vyšehrad, Petřin and Troja labyrinth have the same shape and are inspired by labyrinths in cathedrals in France. You reach the center via a circuitous path with a lot of walking back and forth. This type of labyrinth is excellent for meditation. The way to the centre has many bends but is easy to follow so you can concentrate on your inner thoughts.

1. Labyrinth in Vyšehrad

The labyrinth in Vyšehrad is on Stulcova Street near Vyšhehrad Basilica. It is painted in white on the asphalt of a parking lot and dates from 1997. The maker is unknown.

Around the edge are short texts. One refers to the day it was created: “This drawing is a copy of the model from Chartres Cathedral, the diameter is 14.8 meters. Year of creation 1197. This pattern here was painted on 21-06-1997 – P.S. Have a nice trip to other worlds.”

This labyrinth often has cars parked on it and if you want to walk through it, the best time to visit is on weekends or during the week but then early in the morning.

The labyrinth has been repainted several times in recent years. You can also read this in the inscriptions on the edge.

2. Labyrinth on Petřin

A similar labyrinth is located on Petřín. It was drawn in 2007 and you can find it in the central part of the Růžové sady (Rose Park) near the observatory. The creator of this labyrinth is also unknown.

It is smaller than the labyrinth of Vyšehrad, but has the same shape. Visitors of the rose garden don’t notice it and simply walk across it.

3. Labyrinth in Troja

This labyrinth consists of hornbeam hedges and is located in the garden of Troja Castle. When you walk the labyrinth, you don’t see the shape but from the St Clara vineyard on the slope of a hill opposite, you get a good overview. It has the same shape as the ones in Vyšehrad and on Petřin.

Three Mazes in Prague

You are guaranteed to get lost in a mirror maze, because the mirrors give the impression that there are multiple paths leading into various directions. If you don’t look carefully, you will bump into the mirrors. This type of maze is great fun for (small) children, but adults also like it.

1. Mirror Maze on Petřin

This maze is near the Petřin lookout tower. It is in a building that resembles a castle. First you make your way through the maze until you reach the diorama depicting the battle in 1648 against the Swedes on Charles Bridge, then you will get to the distorting mirrors.

2. Mirror Maze at The Playground

The Playground in Prague is located on Na Prikope Street. It is a games arcade and also sells toys. One of the attractions is the mirror maze full of funny effects and mysterious music.

3. Bush Maze

The Přírodní labyrinth is a bush maze on ke Kolodejskemu zamku in the Dubeč district. Visit it in the summer when the beech hedges are full of leaves, in the winter the maze is not so exciting because you can see through the bushes. It is located in a nature park with a sensory walkway where you walk on different types of ground.

The Classic Labyrinth

In the Middle Ages, many French churches had a labyrinth. They were used for Easter dances involving clergy. Many of these labyrinths have disappeared. Often with the knowledge of the church authorities who distrusted its pagan origins.

These labyrinths had a plaque in the middle depicting Theseus and Ariadne, and the Minotaur.

Therefore, another name for a cathedral with a labyrinth was “Domus Daedali” (House of Daedalus), a nod to antiquity’s Daedalus, designer of the labyrinth at Knossos that housed the Minotaur.

Labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France

The labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral was the example for the labyrinth on Petřin and Vyšehrad and can be visited on Fridays in summer for a meditative walk. On the other days, there are rows of prayer chairs here because Chartres Cathedral is a working church.

Related articles:
Mirror maze on Petrin Hill
The Playground games arcade

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