Frenswegen Monastery Labyrinth

In the narrower sense a labyrinth is the artistic design of a winding path that leads to the center of the concentrically designed complex with frequent changes of direction. Labyrinths (unlike mazes) do not lead astray and have no dead ends. They have been constructed for thousands of years to train people who walk them to walk slowly. In addition to the purposive rationality that determines our lives from day to day and must determine them over long stretches, the labyrinth provides a different, complementary view of life: it can be enriching, illuminating, deepening, approaching the goal in a detour, slower, more intensive way approach.

Labyrinth and spirituality
It is not for nothing that the art form of the labyrinth is so deeply rooted in Christian, especially monastic, tradition. By stripping away external influences and concentrating on the path to the center, in which all of humanity's mystical traditions have identified a special place of encounter with God, human existence can be experienced in all its depth and richness. A building in the shape of a labyrinth supports this path through its shape, which is designed in several circuits around the center, and helps the seeker to set off not only mentally but also physically.
 
Gernot Candolini, builder of the Frenswegen labyrinth
Born in 1959, he is headmaster of the Montessori school in Innsbruck, teacher, author and labyrinth builder. He has been dealing with the topic of labyrinths for many years and has published, among other things, the books "Labyrinth - Inspiration for the Journey of Life" (Herder) and "Labyrinth - Paths of Knowledge and Love" (Claudius).

Location within Monastery: East Garden.