Dove of Peace in the Uttinger Labyrinth: A summer full of themed adventures!

Dove of Peace in the Uttinger Labyrinth: A summer full of themed adventures!

Lake Ammersee is known for its picturesque backdrop, but this summer one particular highlight stands out: the “Ex Ornamentis” plant labyrinth in Utting. As the Süddeutsche reports, this year's labyrinth features the motif of a peace dove and focuses on peace in Ukraine and other crisis areas. With this 24th labyrinth, the operators, Corinne and Uli Ernst, would like to encourage visitors to think about how they interact with each other and peace in the world.

A look at the history of the labyrinth reveals that the Ernsts have chosen a new theme every year since 1999. In 2022, a world map with a dove of peace was mowed into the labyrinth, which can only be fully appreciated from the air. In 2023, the Ernsts dedicated the motif to Disney's 100th birthday, and previously a Viking ship graced the field in 2022 to celebrate the anniversary of "Wickie and the Strong Men." In the past, special themes such as the portrait of Martin Luther or the characters of Maya the Bee and Willi provided variety and joy for visitors.

Visitors welcome

The labyrinth opens its gates on July 17th and is open to anyone interested until September 28th. A rush of visitors is expected again, as hundreds of people have come in recent years. In addition to the impressive sight of the plants up to two meters high, which consist of sunflowers, hemp, corn, wild mallow, ornamental pumpkins and beans, guests can also expect an interactive search game. At various stations, participants can test their knowledge on topics such as football, cuisine and nature.

The labyrinth is around 18,000 square meters in size and is covered with straw. The wings of the dove of peace in particular were tastefully decorated with white lime. To shape the entire motif, the Ernsts work closely with students from Munich University of Applied Sciences, who help measure and draw the labyrinth.

A few tips for your visit

The Ammersee has a lot more to offer besides the labyrinth. A popular destination are the Bavarian Lakes Shipping paddle steamers, which travel between picturesque towns such as Herrsching, Dießen and Utting. The Andechs Monastery, a famous Benedictine monastery, invites you to linger with a beer garden and historical roots. The surrounding area also offers numerous opportunities for nature and bird watching in the nature reserves and relaxing days in the region's beaches.

Anyone visiting the region around Utting should definitely plan a detour to sights such as the Marienmünster Dießen or Kaltenberg Castle. There, the ambience is rounded off by idyllic walks, events and culinary highlights.

With the “Ex Ornamentis” plant labyrinth, the Ernst family and the Ammersee region have created a special offering that invites both relaxation and discussion of social issues. Visit the labyrinth and be inspired by the diversity and messages!