Schanze

The word Schanze derives originally from the fact that, during sieges in the Late Middle Ages, temporary defensive positions had frequently been built out of gabions, known in German as Schanzkörbe.

To block a valley or a pass, however, a line of adjacent schanzen could be erected, not infrequently connected by a low rampart and ditch.

If such a defensive line completely enclosed an area on all sides, it was described as a verschanztes Lager – a fortified (with schanzen) position.

The closed type are further divided into redoubts, that only have outward-facing angles, and "star schanzen" (Sternschanzen) with alternating inward and outward facing corners.

Another famous schanze is the Wolf's Lair (Wolfsschanze) located near the town of Rastenburg in the north-eastern part of Poland.

Schanzen in the shape of an enclosed redoubt; here shown as incorporated into a verschanzten Linie or "fortified line". The schanze is additionally protected in this example by a couvreface .
Replica of a Baroque schanze as a redoubt with chartaque in Gersbach
Original Baroque schanze in the form of a star at the Böllner Eck near Neuenweg , Baden-Württemberg, Germany