Sattel

Sattel is a German noun that translates to saddle in English and is used in several related but distinct contexts. It commonly refers to a seat or support on which something rests or is carried, and it also names a low, saddle-shaped geographical feature.

In everyday use, Sattel describes a seat or mounting point. A horse saddle is a piece of tack worn on a horse’s back to support the rider and distribute weight. There are many saddle styles for riding, including English and Western types, each with a specific design and purpose. The term is also used for seats on bicycles and motorcycles, where the saddle serves as the rider’s seated position and is a key component of the vehicle.

In geography, a saddle is a geomorphological feature: a low area that forms a pass or saddle-shaped depression between two peaks along a ridge. Such saddles can result from processes of erosion and glaciation and often serve as natural routes through mountainous terrain. The concept is widely used in mountaineering and landscape description.

Toponymy and language record multiple places and features named Sattel in German-speaking regions. The word is also used in compound terms and place names to denote saddle-like passes or locations. Overall, Sattel unites meanings tied to a seat or support and to a saddle-shaped landform, with several places adopting the name in the German-speaking world.