Built and maintained by the Robert Lee Blaffer Foundation, this outdoor site offers an opportunity to walk and meditate on an ancient single path labyrinth. The pattern of this labyrinth duplicates the original at Chartres Cathedral, built in the 12th century near Paris, France. The Medieval Gothic Cathedrals across Europe often had labyrinths built into their floors. Their geometric pattern related to the unity of each cathedral’s design. The rose in the middle of the New Harmony cathedral labyrinth identifies its Chartres origin. Labyrinth designs have been used by humankind for over 4000 years in many cultural traditions, including Southwest Native Americans.
Located at 301 North St.- Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily. (No entrance fee).
This labyrinth was originally designed as a place for meditation and reflection by the Rappites, a religious German society, in the early 19th century. While a vow of celibacy ultimately ended the community’s hope for survival, the town of New Harmony still holds remnants of their attempt at a perfect society. The labyrinth is one of the most striking of these lasting remains. The Rappites viewed the labyrinth as a challenge and a symbolic attempt to overcome the issues in their life.
When the Rappites left their community, the labyrinth was left in disrepair until the mid-20th century. It was constructed as a classic labyrinth, with only one true path to the center, and although it was turned into a maze in the 1930s, a 2008 reconstruction based on archival information restored the labyrinth to its original form.
The labyrinth now stands proudly on the main street of New Harmony, Indiana, and is open admission-free year round. Visitors can take the challenge themselves, working their way around the shrub labyrinth toward the center, where there is a stone Rappite temple.
