Field jury in Ebern: A look at the venerable voluntary work!

Field jury in Ebern: A look at the venerable voluntary work!

An exciting exhibition about the field jury, also affectionately known as the “Sevens”, is now being presented in the small town of Ebern. This tradition has historical roots that go back to the Middle Ages. The volunteers not only take care of monitoring property boundaries, but are also responsible for marking and maintaining boundary signs, which is of great importance for many property owners. This reports np-coburg.de.

The office of field jury is considered one of the oldest municipal honorary positions and has proven itself over the centuries. There are currently an impressive 1,138 field jurors active in the Haßberge district, and 22 new volunteers were sworn in last year. This development underlines the relevance of the office today. In February 2025, comprehensive training for the new field jurors took place in the Haßfurt district office. The training content covered central topics such as erecting, replacing, raising and lowering as well as securing endangered border signs.

Tradition and meaning

The areas of application of the field jury are diverse. They set boundary stones, remove or replace damaged survey points and work closely with the survey authorities. Their tasks range from the control and demarcation of municipal boundaries to the conscientious and impartial work that they must comply with due to their obligations. This special knowledge makes them indispensable contacts for all questions relating to property boundaries. More on this explained Wikipedia.

Did you know that the field jury system is not only active in Bavaria, but also in Rhineland-Palatinate? Until the end of 2014 they were even active in Thuringia, where they no longer exist. There are a total of around 25,000 field jurors in Bavaria, with over 15,000 of these volunteers being in Franconia. Women have been allowed to hold this office since 1981, and there are currently around 50 active women in Bavaria.

Community and customs

The community of field jurors is strengthened through regular meetings and training, which also helps to promote the exchange of experiences among members. Traditions such as folk festivals, including the Schnadegang or the Grenzgang, have developed from this important activity and contribute to the preservation of customs in the regions. This is also justified by the fact that the special features of this office were recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2016.

All in all, the field jurors shed an exciting light on a voluntary work that is anchored in local politics with a lot of dedication and commitment. Their work goes far beyond simply marking borders and forms an important part of the cultural identity in the affected regions. Anyone who would like to find out more about the background and activities is cordially invited to visit the exhibition in Ebern and get an idea of ​​this unique tradition for themselves.