A maize field near Hungary’s border with Romania has turned into a giant puzzle again, with children roaming the paths and parents staying calm as they tackle Central Europe’s largest maize maze.

Organisers in Kiszombor have been building the attraction each year since 2008, using hoes and measuring tools to carve out the design.

This year’s 4.5-hectare maze features storybook characters, a castle and a unicorn. The design was created by Dávid Nagy on a computer in a spreadsheet.

The maize was cut back when the plants were only knee high, making it easier to see the full layout. Drones were then used for the final adjustments.

Children are given a map to help them through the maze, but the 2.5-kilometre route includes plenty of dead ends and is easy to get lost in.

The maze was first created 18 years ago in nearby Kukutyin by volunteers from the Kiss Mária Hortensia Local History Circle, in an effort to draw visitors back to the depopulating area.

Since then, two to three thousand people a year have come to try traditional skill games and make their way through the maize field.

According to Erzsébet Endrész, head of the local history circle and the project, the goal has always been to put Kiszombor on the map for Hungarians and other Europeans who enjoy puzzles.

“After all, it’s essentially a giant escape room.”

The maize maze is open to visitors until 22 August.

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