FINDING EUROPE: THE LABYRINTH
OF THE MINOTAUR
AN IMMERSIVE GAMIFIED CULTURAL TOUR
CATEGORY
Cultural Quest
LOCATION
Parc del Laberint d'Horta, Barcelona
YEAR
2023
ROLE
Experience & Game Designer · Cultural Programmer · Storytelling Designer · Facilitator
About the project
Inspired by Greek mythology and the symbolic landscape of Barcelona's oldest garden, Labyrinth of the Minotaur transformed a cultural visit into a collaborative quest where participants uncovered myths, solved puzzles, explored nature, and experienced history through play.
HOW CAN MYTHOLOGY BECOME SOMETHING WE EXPERIENCE INSTEAD OF SIMPLY LEARNING?
Stories are often taught as facts to remember. This experience asked a different question: What happens when participants become part of the myth itself?
Rather than listening to the story of Europe, Theseus and the Minotaur, visitors navigated the labyrinth, solved challenges, and reconstructed the narrative through exploration.
A SEQUENCE OF CHECKPOINTS WHERE VISITORS LEARNED WITH EMBODIED CHARACTERS AND ON-SITE SYMBOLISM.
Working as a team, participants travelled through the gardens completing two interconnected quests.
The first explored Greek mythology through storytelling, puzzles, and navigation.
The second shifted attention to the symbolism, ecology, architecture, and landscape of Parc del Laberint d'Horta, encouraging participants to observe the environment through a new lens.
The experience concluded with a collective reflection and picnic where participants shared discoveries and discussed the journey.
STORYTELLING, GAMIFICATION & IMMERSION WERE AT THE CENTRE OF THE TOUR
Playful Learning
Greek Mythology Quest
Teams solved mythology-based challenges while moving through key locations of the park.
Each puzzle revealed another chapter of the story of Europa, Ariadne, Theseus, and the Minotaur.
Problem-Solving
Team Challenge
Friendly competition encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and collective problem-solving throughout the experience.
Participatory Performance
Symbolism & Nature Quest
Participants explored the park's natural environment through observation, photography, symbolism, and environmental interpretation.
Rather than receiving information, they discovered meaning through play.
EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
Mythological Introduction
A guided introduction to the history of the park and the mythology of Europa and the Minotaur.
Interactive Cultural Quest
A collaborative game combining puzzles, navigation, storytelling, and historical interpretation.
Nature & Symbolism Exploration
Environmental challenges inviting participants to observe the landscape from artistic, ecological, and symbolic perspectives.
Reflection Picnic
A closing conversation where participants shared insights, photographs, and favourite moments from the experience.
