Poststrecken

Poststrecken are defined routes that have historically been used by postal services to transport mail and parcels between locations. The concept is rooted in the early organized postal systems of Europe, where regular schedules and fixed paths were essential for reliable communication. In German-speaking regions, the term “Poststrecke” became associated with both the physical highway or path and the operational schedule that postal carriers followed.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, poststrecken were integral to the expansion of the German postal system. They enabled government officials, merchants, and private citizens to maintain correspondence across states, subsequently supporting commerce and administration. Several notable routes were established by royal courts, such as the Königlicher Hofpost (Royal Court Post) routes that connected nearby cities and ports. These routes often utilized turnpike roads that were improved and maintained for postal use.

With the introduction of railways in the mid‑19th century, many traditional poststrecken were adapted or replaced by train lines, accelerating mail delivery times. The creation of national postal services, including the German Imperial Post (Deutscher Reichspost), further standardized these routes and introduced rigid timetables.

In contemporary times, the term “Poststrecke” still denotes designated postal delivery routes, especially within logistics and freight forwarding. Modern logistics companies use the term when defining pick‑up and drop‑off paths for parcels, ensuring efficient allocation of carriers and resources. Consequently, poststrecken remain a concept linking the history of postal communication with present‑day supply‑chain management.