Rheingauer Gebück, Medieval defensive barrier in Eltville am Rhein, Germany.
The Rheingauer Gebück is a medieval defensive line formed by a 50-60 meter wide forest strip of beech, oak, and hornbeam trees. This natural barrier was engineered to channel movement and prevent passage except at controlled points along the boundary.
The structure was first documented in 1347 when Archbishop Gerlach von Nassau mentioned it in a charter about hunting rights. It continued to serve as a territorial boundary until its destruction around 1771.
This living boundary system became a defining feature of how people perceived the borders of the Rheingau region for generations. Today visitors walking its course can still sense how this green line separated different territories and communities.
Visitors can explore the former line on a 50-kilometer hiking path with 21 information stations located along the route. The trail is well marked, making it easy to follow the historical boundary system through the landscape.
The trees were cut at varying heights and their branches were intertwined in cross patterns to create an almost impenetrable natural fortress. This intricate construction method made the barrier extremely difficult for anyone to cross without permission.
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