Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Labyrinth) – Hökåsen-Badelunda, Sweden - Atlas Obscura

Labyrinten vid Tibble (The Tibble Labyrinth)

This 2,000-year-old stone maze is one of the oldest in the country, but its purpose is still a mystery.  

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The area near Anundshög is a goldmine of artifacts and relics rooted in the Viking Age. The region boasts some of the country’s largest burial mounds, along with several runestones and hundreds of Viking graves.

The location has become one of the more popular tourist locations when it comes to this era of the oceanic Norse raiders. Fitting perfectly with this theme of ancient artifacts and lore, the province’s only trojaborg can be found not far from Anundshög. 

These ancient, poorly understood mazes can be found across the globe, with many existing in England and other European countries. They also sometimes span cultures and religions.

The Tibble maze is at least 2,000 years old and has been preserved remarkably well throughout the years. It is comprised of around 3,000 stones that span 40-45 feet (12 x 14-meter area). It’s believed to have been used in ancient spring rites where a boy had to save a girl from the center of the maze, however, he could not touch the stones while traveling through. If he did, he had to exit the maze, and another boy was allowed to try. 

Know Before You Go

The maze is about a 20-minute walk from Anundshog, the road is not paved but relatively easy to walk. It is uphill, however. For those who do not want to embark on the endeavor there is a replica of the maze next to the cafe. 

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