Rock Sculptures and Labyrinths

Beli is a village high on the cliffs of eastern Cres Island, in a part of the island called Tramuntana, which is wild, thinly settled and shaped by sheep pastures, dry-stone walls and open sky. Among the walls and rocks on the hillside near the village, a small group of stone labyrinths has been laid out, and together with a few carved stones and educational paths they form the Rock Sculptures and Labyrinths, a quiet attraction that is unlike most others on the island.

A labyrinth is not a maze. A maze is built to confuse, with dead ends and choices, while a labyrinth has a single winding path that leads from the entrance to the centre and back out. It is an old symbol, found in many cultures, from ancient Crete to medieval cathedrals, and it has often been used as a form of walking meditation, in which the slow, repeated turns help to calm the mind. In Beli, the labyrinths are made of local stone laid out on the ground, so they blend with the landscape of rock and scrub. There are said to be seven of them, and each is associated with a figure or idea from mythology and folk belief, among them Vesna, the Slavic spirit of spring, and Ishtar and Isis, goddesses of love, fertility and healing in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. The names give each labyrinth its own theme for reflection.

The site is a community project, created in the 21st century by people interested in culture, nature and quiet creativity, and its character is more personal than official. Educational trails nearby explain the plants, animals and traditions of the area, and the surroundings have beautiful views over the sea and across the cliffs. Visitors should treat the stones with care, walk slowly and not move or rearrange them, since the work depends on respect for the design. Facilities are minimal, so bring water and sun protection, and wear shoes that suit rocky ground.

Beli is a good place to spend a day. The Caput Insulae Eco Centre Beli and the Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures (Beli Visitor Centre) tell the story of the birds nesting on the cliffs, and the coves of Uvala Lokva and Uvala Sveti Petar offer swimming at the bottom of a steep path. The village itself has stone houses, narrow lanes and a long history, and it is described as one of the oldest settlements on the island.

The labyrinths suit walkers, people interested in meditation and anyone who enjoys quiet, unusual places. Late afternoon, when the stone is warm and the light is soft, is a good time.