The Saint Vitus Border Marker

Location 51.993585, 6.826700

The Saint Vitus border marker is a historic boundary stone located near Nordhorn, a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, close to the Dutch border. It marks part of the old border region that has a rich history shaped by shifting territorial lines between the Netherlands and Germany.

Saint Vitus (or Sint Vitus) is a Christian saint often invoked as a protector against various hardships, and his name appears in several places across Europe. The border marker named after him is not just a territorial signpost but also a cultural landmark reflecting the local heritage.

In this border area, such markers historically helped define the jurisdiction and control of different regions, especially in times when borders were less formalized than today.

Apparently, the stone was renovated in 1753. On the side it depicts the coat of arms of the provinces Gelder (The Netherlands) and Münster (Germany).

Earlier versions of the stone were wooden markers and it is possible the first ones are dated to 1231. At that time, it marked the northern point of the Saint Vitus Parish in Südlohn.