Abschnittsbefestigung Schanze

The Abschnittsbefestigung Schanze is a medieval earthwork ringfort on a ridge above the Aitrach valley, 450 metres west-south-west of the church in Kirchen, a village south-east of Geisingen. The site sits between 750 and 770 metres above sea level where the Pfaffenbach stream meets the Aitrach. First recorded in 1885, it is one of the region’s early medieval defences. The fort is cut off from the ridge by a stone-and-earth rampart up to 2.6 metres high and 13 metres wide. In front runs a broad ditch as much as 2.2 metres deep and ten metres wide. Three modern breaks pierce the rampart, and the ditch curves along the hill crest before ending at the spur’s tip. On the south-eastern side a stretch of slope was steepened to add protection. The interior slopes gently down to the edges, covering 1.35 hectares, with a smaller upper area of 0.92 hectares. Inside lie scattered stone heaps of unknown origin, and a further low stone wall crosses the enclosure. The main approach probably entered from the former ditch about 70 metres west of the spur’s tip. The steep Aitrach gorge below offers sweeping views across the surrounding farmland and wooded hills.