Nestled in the eastern reaches of Saxony, the quaint town of Bautzen emerges as a cultural beacon for the Sorbian minority in Germany and the celestial namesake of the asteroid 11580. Yet, beyond its historical and astronomical significance, Bautzen harbors a labyrinthine wonder that has captured the imaginations of maze enthusiasts from across the globe—the sprawling Kleinwelka Maze. Spanning nearly 60,000 square meters, this maze intrigues visitors with its intricate design and a plethora of engaging activities.
The Maze that Grew from a Rapeseed Field
Conceived in 1992 by the Frenzel couple, the Kleinwelka Maze comprises three distinct sections: the hedge maze, the adventure maze, and the puzzle maze. What began as a rapeseed field was transformed through the collective effort of family, friends, and neighbors who planted rows of verdant Thuja trees. These trees flourished rapidly, giving life to a grand hedge maze. In 1994, the Frenzels expanded their arboreal creation, adding an adventure maze alongside the hedges, with a bridge connecting the two. By 2003, the family introduced a puzzle maze, bringing the total to an impressive 3,800 Thuja trees.
Standing at the maze entrance, I was dwarfed by the towering hedges, reminded of the German proverb, “You see the trees, but not the forest.” My sole clue was that the exit of the hedge maze lay at the entrance to the sky bridge, prompting me to keep an eye out for it. After many a turn within the hedge maze without finding the exit, my other work obligations forced me to consult the map—a move seen as cowardly by maze purists. Nonetheless, I quickly navigated to the exit, where a staff member stamped my ticket to mark my passage.
Most visitors choose not to consult the map, embracing the myriad paths that lead to the end. Mathematicians have calculated that the hedge maze alone offers a total of 7.5 kilometers of pathways, with 30,720 possible routes from entrance to exit. The average time for guests to find their way out ranges from several minutes to a few hours. Impressively, the record stands at a mere six and a half minutes, set by seven primary school students from the nearby town of Großdubrau.
The Sky Bridge and Beyond
Upon exiting the hedge maze, I ascended the sky bridge, which afforded a panoramic view of the entire maze and the wandering seekers below. For the daring, a small cable car offered an aerial passage over the maze, a particular delight for children who could imagine themselves as characters from the world of Harry Potter.
At the end of the sky bridge awaited the adventure maze. With over 20 obstacles, it turned the maze exploration into an obstacle course, featuring challenges like climbing wooden walls and crawling through tree holes. The final hurdle was the maze’s signature 13-meter tower, which visitors had to scale before sliding down to mark the completion of the second challenge.
Adjacent to the adventure maze lay the puzzle maze. Maze-goers faced the task of solving a variety of puzzles spread over 13 sectors. Each sector presented a word puzzle, where adding letters to a sequence of 3 to 4 letters formed a word. Correct answers guided visitors through to the exit. Adults tackled general knowledge questions, while children enjoyed fairy tale-themed queries. Moreover, those who found all the correct words were entered into a monthly prize draw, with three winners selected by the maze team.
A Year-Round Calendar of Events
Each year, the maze team hosts several major events. One of the favorites is Ghost Night. As evening falls, the maze transforms with flickering lights and eerie sounds, with fog drifting through the hedge walls. Staff dressed as witches and various demons lurk in the shadows. Maze-goers must overcome their fears and use their wits and weapons to navigate the challenges and escape the maze. Outside, a grand bonfire party awaits, complete with roast chicken, pastries, and other delicacies. Magic shows and other performances captivate the younger audience. Another popular event is the maze treasure hunt, where the fastest to find the treasure wins the grand prize of the year’s maze treasure.
