Doolhoven

Doolhoven are a type of puzzle or decorative feature that consists of a network of paths enclosed within a boundary, with the goal of reaching the exit from the entrance while navigating twists and turns. The term is Dutch and translates to maze or labyrinth in English.

Most doolhoven differentiate between mazes and labyrinths. A maze typically offers multiple routes with dead ends and wrong turns, while a unicursal labyrinth has a single non-branching path that leads to the center and back out again.

Historically, doolhoven appear in various cultures. In antiquity, labyrinth designs are associated with mythological structures like the Cretan labyrinth of Daedalus. In medieval Europe, stone or mosaicked labyrinths served ceremonial or devotional purposes in cathedrals, such as the labyrinth at Chartres. In the Renaissance and later, hedged mazes were built in royal and aristocratic gardens for recreation. From the 18th century onward, public and private mazes spread widely, evolving in size and complexity. In contemporary design, mazes are created in diverse materials—hedges, brick, turf, even digital formats.

In contemporary culture, doolhoven appear in literature, film, and puzzle design, where they symbolize mystery, choice, or cognitive challenge. They remain popular as garden features, recreational challenges, and thematic motifs in various media.