The Peace Maze is located in the Forest Park of Castlewellan Town, Down County, Northern Ireland. It is one of the largest permanent hedge mazes in the world. The maze was built in the early 21st century to commemorate the peace process in Northern Ireland and has now become an important landmark symbolizing reconciliation.
Historical background
The construction of the Peace Maze began in 2001, during the period of peaceful reconstruction after the end of the Northern Ireland conflict (1968-1998). The project was jointly promoted by the local government and community organizations, costing approximately 900,000 pounds, and was officially opened to the public in 2007. Its design inspiration comes from the Belfast Agreement signed in 1998, which ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland.
Design and symbol
The maze covers an area of approximately 2.7 acres (about 11,000 square meters) and is composed of more than 6,000 yew trees and Holly trees. The height of the hedge is approximately 1.8 meters and the total path length exceeds 3 kilometers. The maze as a whole is in the shape of a “zigzag-shaped”, symbolizing the tortuous path of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace. A copper bell is set up in the center. After arriving, tourists can ring it to celebrate “finding the exit”, symbolizing unity and hope.
The Peace Maze is open for free and attracts about 100,000 visitors every year. The average clearance time is 30 to 45 minutes. There are no clear signs, and tourists are encouraged to explore independently. The scenic area regularly holds community activities, such as school peace education courses and interreligious dialogue workshops. A small section of untrimmed hedge is retained in the northwest corner of the maze, reminding people of the fragility of peace. When the hedges are thick in summer, the scenic area will dispatch more volunteers to guide children and prevent them from getting lost.
At the entrance of the maze, the date of signing the Belfast Agreement (April 10, 1998) is engraved. Near the exit, handprint tiles created by children from all over Northern Ireland are displayed, emphasizing the next generation’s commitment to peace.
Meaning and influence
The Peace Maze is not only a leisure attraction but also a physical witness to social reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Its design emphasizes cooperation and patience, echoing the core spirit of conflict resolution. In 2012, the Enchanted Palace was awarded the EU Heritage Award and became an important base for peace education in Europe.
Note this article was translated from it’s english version by Google Translator.
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