The raft of the Schiltacher Flößer e.V. (2025)

Until the end of the 19th century, long tree trunks were transported on the rivers of the densely wooded mountains for use in house and ship building. Various types of rafts were used for this purpose, including the ‘Gestör rafts’ on the Kinzig. These rafts were made by tying the logs together to form wide wooden panels called „Gestöre“. The binding material used was „Wieden“ – wooden ropes that were tear-resistant and flexible at the same time.

25 to 35 Gestöre tied together in a row formed „wooden snakes“ up to 350 metres long, which transported 300 to 400 tree trunks.

THE REPLICA CREATED BY THE SCHILTACHER FLÖßER e.V. ASSOCIATION SHOWS PARTS OF A GESTÖR RAFT:

1. „Vorplätz“ with oars, with which the driver steered the raft.

2. Middle log with a tripod for equipment. This is also where the „Oblast“ was stored – additional merchandise carried along, such as boards, poles, resin, firewood, as well as passengers.

3. „Sperrgestör“ with a „Sperrstümmel“. This was driven into the bottom and served as a scraper brake to stop the raft.

The reconstruction is based on sketches by the painter Wilhelm Hasemann (1850–1913).