Everyone would hate the idea of getting lost during a vacation, but there is something very thrilling and satisfying about facing the challenge of exploring
a maze.
For hundreds and thousands of years, labyrinths and mazes have been a part of various cultures and history—the first one was designed to undertake spiritual journeys, guiding visitors along a path to serenity. From offering amusing pastimes to enlightening experiences, there is one thing we can certainly tell, they have become increasingly popular and complex over the years. Check out the world's five most fantastic labyrinths and maze gardens you should visit at least once.
Masone Labyrinth in Parma, Italy
The Masone Labyrinth is the world's largest maze, located in the Italian town of Parma. It was built after Franco Maria Ricci, an Italian publisher, and Jorge Luis Borges, an author, had a bet, Ricci said he wanted to create the largest maze in the world, and Borges declared he could not accomplish it. The star-shaped garden maze opened in 2015, spanning 20 acres, and was built using 200,000 bamboo plants.
Dole Plantation Pineapple Garden Maze in Wahiawa, Hawaii
The Dole Plantation in Hawaii’s Wahiawa is the best-smelling maze in the world. The garden maze covers an area of approximately 3.15 acres. It is beautifully decorated with 14,000 colorful varieties of Hawaiian plants. Unsurprisingly, the center of the maze garden has a pineapple-shaped pattern and eight “secret stations,” and anyone who can solve the maze in the shortest time wins a prize.
Davis Mega Maze in Sterling, USA
This mesmerizing cornfield maze is a popular seasonal attraction in Massachusetts’ Sterling. The Davis Mega Maze is designed by Adrian Fisher, the acclaimed maze designer. Every year, the maze garden’s theme changes completely, pleasantly surprising the visitors with a fresh design. It also has Wi-Fi hotspots, enabling visitors to use GPS devices for tracing their way out.
Andrássy Castle in Tiszadob, Hungary
This hedge maze at Hungary’s Andrássy Castle is created to resemble the form of a squid. The castle was constructed for Count Gyula Andrássy— during the 19th century, featuring this boxwood maze, beautifully lined by yew trees.
Labirinto Villa Pisani in Stra, Italy
The Labyrinth at Villa Pisani is considered to be the most difficult maze in the world. It is located close to Venice. It was designed in 1720—by Girolamo Frigimelica for Doge Alvise—the maze features a circular path in a classic medieval style, encircling a mini turret with nine paths, and numerous dead ends. According to local legend, Napoleon Bonaparte formerly owned the villa which was once lost in its complex hedges.
Try exploring these labyrinths, and don’t worry about a Grecian beast chasing you!
