The Labyrinth of the Northern Tip of Hiiumaa

A labyrinth is one of the most ancient magical signs in the history of mankind and as a building used for rituals. Labyrinths which were drawn on the ground or marked by stones are known from several thousands of years BC. Labyrinths were built and used for rituals by Navajo and Hopi Indians, Etrusks and the Samis, Vikings and Swedes who lived near the coast. A place, where people once performed fertility rituals and cast spells to conjure up favourable winds and successful voyages, has become a place of games and reflections. The northern and
western coasts of Hiiumaa have been for hundreds of years settled by Hiiumaa Swedes, so it is natural that labyrinths are found in this area. The first written record of Hiiumaa labyrinths is from 1844 when Karl-Ernst von Baer mentioned the labyrinths in the northern tip of Hiiumaa.

A labyrinth built by Swedes is preserved on the peninsula of Kootsaare. The tradition was continued in 1964 when the people of Kaibaldi village built miniature labyrinths for their children to play in. These labyrinths were copied from Kootsaare labyrinths.

Hiiumaa Kuninglik Karskete Ölutinautlejate Selts (The Hiiumaa Royal Association of Temperate Beer-Lovers), established in 1997, undertook to revive the labyrinth building tradition in Hiiumaa and has built 8 labyrinths in different places on the island: Ristna Southern Point, Kõpu Church Hill, Mägipe Beach, Sääre Beach, Kassari, Mihkli Museum, Kärdla and Tahkuna.

The labyrinth that was built in 1997 was an exact copy of the original Kootsaare labyrinth. However, the visitors of the labyrinth started to extend it and the initial classical cross spiral with round paths has turned into a simple spiral to which stones are added. People who wish to get a particularly magnificent view of the labyrinth should climb to the top of the lighthouse. Good traveller! Walk to the centre of the labyrinth, think about the world and your life, add some stones to the path and enjoy yourself!