Borges Labyrinth Venice: 2025 Visitor Guide & Secret Symbols
- A Literary Tribute: Built to honor the 35th anniversary of Jorge Luis Borges’ death, the maze is a physical manifestation of his complex metaphysical themes.
- Hidden Symbology: The 3,200 boxwood plants are arranged to form Borges’ name and various objects representing his most famous motifs, such as time and infinity.
- Twin Masterpiece: This is the European counterpart to the original “Laberinto de Borges” created by Coate in San Rafael, Argentina, in 2003.
The Borges Labyrinth is located on the enchanting island of San Giorgio in Venice and is a reconstruction of the labyrinth that the English diplomat and “labyrinthologist” Randoll Coate (1909-2005) designed in honor of the famous Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges.
Created by the Cini Foundation by the will of Maria Kodama, widow of Borges, the labyrinth inspired by the story of the Argentine writer “the Garden of the Forking Paths” opened to the public on 11 June 2021 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its creation, the 35 years since the death of Borges and the 70 years of the Giorgio Cini Foundation.
The labyrinth, created at the behest of the widow of Borges Maria Kodama, has so far only been accessible from above, from the terrace of the Centro Branca, from which it is possible to see a series of symbols that recall the works of Borges: a stick, mirrors, two hourglasses, a huge question mark, the tiger, the name Jorge Luis and the initials of Maria Kodama, with hedges arranged to form the name Borges.
Randoll Coate was an English diplomat and labyrinth designer who met Borges in Argentina and who created an identical labyrinth in San Rafael (Laberinto de Borges) in 2003.
The Labyrinth is inspired by Borges’ short story “The Garden of Forking Paths” and it’s shaped like an open book. The design incorporates, in Braille, a quotation from the blind writer, that a book and a labyrinth are “one and the same”.
The meaning of the symbology of the Borges maze:
Essential Guide to the Borges Labyrinth in Venice
Where is the Borges Labyrinth located?
The labyrinth is situated on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy. It is part of the Giorgio Cini Foundation complex and was designed as a tribute to the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges.
What is the meaning behind the Borges Labyrinth design?
The maze is shaped like an open book and incorporates symbols from Borges’ literary works, including a tiger, mirrors, hourglasses, and a walking stick. The hedges are also arranged to spell out the name “Borges” and his widow’s initials.
Can you walk through the Borges Labyrinth?
Yes, while previously it was only viewable from the Branca Center terrace, the labyrinth is now open to the public for walking tours. Visitors can experience the intricate paths inspired by the short story “The Garden of Forking Paths.”
Who designed the Borges Labyrinth in Venice?
The labyrinth was designed by Randoll Coate, a British diplomat and “labyrinthologist” who was a friend of Borges. Coate also created a twin version of this labyrinth in San Rafael, Argentina.
Topic: Borges Memorial Maze
Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it, China-underground.com, Weirditaly.com and RetroFuturista.com.