Is this the real Pan's Labyrinth? Spanish pensioner creates maze of tunnels, towers and 100ft sculptures within sprawling forest 

·        Josep Pujiula, 77, began crafting his colossal labyrinth on the banks of the Fluvià river in Catalonia in 1980

·        Has been in disagreement with the Spanish government who attempted to halt his plans by building motorway

·        But adventurer continued with his creation and simply continued alongside road development 

A retired textile worker has spent the past 30 years building a sprawling enchanted maze in the forests of Spain.

Josep Pujiula, 77, began crafting his colossal labyrinth on the banks of the Fluvià river in Catalonia in 1980 and continues to add to its network of tunnels, towers and intriguing sculptures. 

The maze, which recalls Guillermo del Toro's 2006 Spanish fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth, has half a kilometre of walkways and is constructed from rustic materials like wooden planks and sticks bound with rope. 

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Two giant wooden towers stand at the top of the hill; a retired textile worker has spent the past 30 years building a sprawling enchanted maze

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Three tunnel entrances that lead into the winding wooden maze; Josep Pujiula, 77, began crafting his colossal labyrinth on the banks of the Fluvià river in Catalonia in 1980

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A bizarre sculpture found at the end of a wooden tunnel, and right, two wooden cabins protrude from the side of the hill

Travel photographer Alastair Philip Wiper, 34, sought out the labyrinth while travelling through Catalonia. 

He said: 'Whenever I travel I always keep an eye out for new adventures. I had seen the Labyrinth online and realised that I would pass it on my way to Barcelona. 

'The woods were so thick you couldn't see the labyrinth at first, but then the structures appeared out of nowhere, towering above the tree line. 

'The first thing you see is a long wooden tunnel made of bent and bound sticks, shooting violently up the side of a steep hill. To get to the top of the labyrinth you have to get inside the tunnel and climb your way to the top. You have to be pretty fit to make it up there.' 

Mr Wiper said he had to watch his step as he made his way up the hillside. He said: 'It felt pretty dangerous. Every time I stepped on a new rung of the ladder in the tunnel I could picture it breaking.' 

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The wooden maze clings to the side of a steep sandy hill, and right, rusting and moss covered sculptures found in the heart of the labyrinth

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A birdseye view of the complex wooden tunnels; Pujiula continues to add to its network of tunnels, towers and intriguing sculptures

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The inside of the complex wooden maze; the site recalls Guillermo del Toro's 2006 Spanish fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth

Mr Wiper was greeted by several wooden towers which stretched 98 feet into the air.

He said: 'Each tower contained a room filled with bizarre sculptures made of odd materials like dolls heads on sticks and old television sets. It was almost like he had been practicing voodoo in there.' 

Mr Wiper spent two hours inside the labyrinth taking detailed photos of Mr Pujiula's work although sadly did not meet the man himself. 

Mr Wiper said: 'I didn't see him but apparently he is there most of the time continuing to build. It's not advertised as a tourist attraction, but I've been told he is happy for people to come and visit.' 

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Two bizarre and rusted sculptures sit at the bottom of a stairwell, and right, one of the labyrinth's tall wooden towers built next to a cabin

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Several metal sculptures overlook a pool of rainwater; Mr Pujiula defiantly built a new structure alongside a government planned motorway and continues to expand his creation

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The interior of one of the various wooden cabins, and right, a colossal wooden tower amidst the Catalonia forest

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A look inside the supports of a wooden tower, which must have taken an age to construct and reshape and bend the sticks

The structure was originally one and a half kilometers long but was dismantled in 2002 after the Spanish government, who had frequently voiced their objection to the labyrinth, demolished it to provide space for a motorway.

Mr Pujiula defiantly built a new structure alongside the motorway and continues to expand his creation while butting heads with the Spanish authorities. 

Mr Wiper said: 'The motorway runs parallel to the structure so it's probably not as peaceful as it once was. I'm not sure why he decided to rebuild but I got the impression it is something he has to do. 

'I love his attitude. When someone is obsessed by an idea and they aren't going to let anything get in their way.'