The stone labyrinths are mysterious, believed to have been made by giants. The labyrinths are mazes formed by concentric stone circles made of stones roughly the size of a human head, and the simplest ones are spiral-shaped. In a properly arranged labyrinth, there is only one path to its center and back.

The labyrinth on Mustaviiri is located on a flat rock on the northern shore. Tradition says that walking through av labyrinth brings luck and protection. However, be careful when visiting, as the labyrinth on Mustaviiri is a nationally significant ancient monument.

Stone labyrinths are ancient monuments found on the coasts and archipelagos of Finland, particularly abundant in the Vaasa region. The oldest ones may date back to the Viking Age, and the tradition of building them has continued at least until the 19th century. Old labyrinths have been used as playgrounds even after that.

The model of the labyrinth dates back thousands of years to ancient Greece, from where the myth of a maze-like structure, the hero's journey to its frightening center, defeating the monster, and finding the way back has come to us in various forms. Labyrinth patterns can be found across Europe, carved into rocks, built from earth mounds, or as decorative motifs on buildings and vessels. The story became familiar in the North perhaps already through Viking expeditions. Christianity brought new meaning to the old pattern, turning it into a symbol of overcoming the devil or difficulties, and such patterns were painted in Finnish churches during the Middle Ages. The labyrinth pattern is also familiar in America, India, and Asia, but it likely developed independently in different parts of the world without a common origin.

The Swedish name for our stone circles, jungfrudans (maiden's dance), reminds us of the ultimate reason for venturing into the labyrinth: behind it all is a woman. The monster held a maiden captive, who had to be freed. Later, labyrinths became playgrounds for young people and children, and the maiden's dance took on new meanings. Nordic researchers have speculated that in Scandinavia, the labyrinth may have been associated with fertility rites. Read more (in finnish) .

Nature trails

Mustaviiri cultural heritage nature trail

Ulko-Tammio nature trail

Ulko-Tammio, wartime history trail