Grenzmarke

Grenzmarke is a German term that refers to a boundary marker—an object that signifies the limit of a jurisdiction, property, or territory. Typical forms include stones, pillars, wooden posts, or inscribed plaques placed on the ground, often at intervals along a border or parcel line. The marker may bear inscriptions such as dates, symbols, or coordinates that identify the boundary line or the owning entity.

Historically, Grenzmarken were used to delimit lands, estates, church properties, or state borders and functioned as practical references for legal rights and dispute resolution. In surveying and land administration, a Grenzmarke is a reference point or monument used to define a boundary; it is part of a network of markers that supports cadastral surveys. The exact position is usually recorded in maps, deeds, or official registries.

In modern practice, the concept remains relevant in cadastre and property law. While many physical markers have decayed or been superseded by measured coordinates in geographic information systems, the term Grenzmarke continues to appear in legal descriptions and historical records. It also features in discussions of cultural heritage as part of the landscape of old boundary demarcations.

See also: Grenzstein, Grenzzeichen, border stone, cadastral surveying.