The mystery of the Minotaur submerged in Lake Mari Menuco: Ancestral art or encrypted message?

In the calm waters of the lake Mari Menucolocated in the province of Neuquén, Argentina, hides an enigma that mixes art, myth and mystery. Below the surface, six meters from the shore and submerged four meters deep, lies a Minotaur statue that intrigues locals and visitors alike.

With 1.5 meters high and a weight of 250 kilogramsthe statue is built with a solid mixture of iron and cement. Its design fuses a human torso with the imposing head of a bull, evoking the ancient legends of the Minotaur. However, it is not only its shape that captivates, but a peculiar detail: its “heart” is sealed with a padlock metallic, as if it hid an eternal secret.

Near the statue, a iron mask of 1.4 meters long and 1 meter wide rests at the bottom of the lake. The most disturbing thing about this discovery is the inscription engraved on the mask, which reads: “Eternal Journey”a phrase that invites reflection and multiple interpretations.

Theories about the origin and meaning of this work have not been long in coming. Some believe that the statue and mask are a tribute to the Mapuche protective spirit known as “Gen Ko”who, according to local beliefs, urges us to care for and respect nature, especially sacred waters.

Others suggest that the work is a metaphor for the internal struggle of the human being: the lock on the heart could symbolize the self-imposed restrictions or the secrets that each person keeps deep in their soul.

Regardless of its original purpose, the statue of the Minotaur and the nearby mask have transformed Lake Mari Menuco into a place full of mystery and symbolism. This submerged corner of Argentina invites those who visit it to reflect on the relationship between art, nature and the legends that connect people with their environment.