Stone labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island, Ancient stone labyrinths in Solovetsky District, Russia
Stone labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island are located on the western section of the island and consist of fourteen structures built from locally gathered boulders arranged in spiral patterns. The individual labyrinths range from 6 to 25 meters in diameter and each one was constructed using large field stones.
These structures were built during the Middle Ages, showing the ability of early inhabitants to create complex patterns with stone. The exact time of their construction remains unclear, but their medieval origin has been confirmed by archaeological research.
Local people call these structures vavilons, meaning Babylons, showing how deeply they are woven into regional folklore and everyday knowledge. The name reveals the way these stone puzzles have captured the imagination of inhabitants for many generations.
Each labyrinth has a single entrance that also serves as the exit, with most openings facing south. Visitors should take time to observe the spiral patterns from above or from the outside to fully understand how the structure works.
This island holds the highest concentration of ancient labyrinths in the world, along with over 850 stone formations scattered across its surface. This remarkable collection makes the location one of the most mysterious archaeological sites.
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