Portal I
The Castle Where Autumn Wears Masks
2018 · Ukraine · Radomysl Castle
You Have Found the First Portal of the Labyrinth
Welcome to the Castle
You have entered a place where old walls preserve more than they allow a passing visitor to see. Here, the September wind turns the leaves like pages of a forgotten book, stone guardians watch over closed doors, and dark water returns the castle’s reflection—but never reveals what it witnessed at night.
In the autumn of 2018, artist Marina Stognieva spent several days here almost entirely alone: observing, creating, listening to the silence and allowing the magic of autumn to enter her paints. By day, the castle revealed its terraces, red brick, apples, vines and golden leaves. After sunset, it changed the rules.
The First Threshold
You have passed beneath the first arch. Beside the old boat, the ordinary path ends and the Labyrinth begins. From now on, not every route will lead you back, and the most important clues may be hidden not in words, but in reflections, glances and details.
Look carefully. The castle already knows that you have entered.
The Secret Brotherhood
They appeared after sunset. They did not give their names, remove their white masks or explain whom they were waiting for beside the old doors. Some concealed themselves beneath hoods; others stood motionless, watching the guests.
It seems that now they were waiting for you.
Night in the Castle
When the last voices faded, the castle was almost empty. The candlelit dinner had ended, the corridors had grown dark, and the ancient faces continued to watch from the walls.
A New Day
In the morning, the silence became bright again. The artist stepped onto the terrace, overlooking a small river, willow trees and the autumn colours surrounding the castle. What had seemed like an unknown presence during the night became colour, line and a new painting with the first rays of light.
What This Portal Conceals
This Portal and the castle rooms contain clues that will lead you to six artefacts and their Secret Inscriptions. The artefacts themselves are hidden on other pages of the website. Solve the clues, find the correct places, and save both the symbols and the Secret Inscriptions revealed beneath the tiles. Each Secret Inscription is part of the Manuscript.
Somewhere within the castle, one Heart of the Labyrinth is also concealed. It will reveal the first part of the entry code. The code fragments collected across all eight Portals will form a secret address leading to the final page— “The Heart of the Labyrinth. The Secret Manuscript.”
There, a board for 42 artefacts will be waiting for you. When every tile is placed in its correct position, the Secret Inscriptions hidden beneath them will join together to reveal the complete text of the Manuscript.
Three Paths Within the Portal
The Castle Rooms
Behind each door, a different atmosphere, a new riddle and traces of hidden artefacts await you.
The Garden of Silent Guardians
Beyond the oak door await an autumn garden and silent stone guardians.
The Hall of Hidden Faces
Beyond the black door are white masks, ancient faces and the Secret Brotherhood.
The Terrace Where Colours Awaken
Beyond the carved door, silence, the river and autumn become art.
Remember this artefact. Its number remains secret.
The First Clue
Find the Artefact and Its Secret Inscription—a Part of the Manuscript
Look for “The Fisherman’s House.” It stands beside the water, while autumn paints everything around it in especially vivid colours.
Find this painting in the Gallery. The artefact and its Secret Inscription are waiting for you on the page that tells its story.
Hint. The paintings in the Gallery are arranged into thematic sections. Use the description to determine where this work is most likely to be found.
The castle has opened its first doors to you, but it has not surrendered all its secrets. Explore every room, find the six artefacts and their Secret Inscriptions, and do not leave the Heart of the Labyrinth behind.