The aim of this presentation is to discuss the methods of delineating the boundaries of rural areas and suburbs in medieval Silesia. This topic has rarely been addressed in the literature, and written sources offer only a few references to the issue. These boundaries served a dual function – they not only acted as barriers protecting specific territories from unwanted access, but also signified ownership and served as a symbol of property. Minor structures such as fences, embankments, or hedges thus possessed both defensive and symbolic roles. The second aspect of the presentation is an analysis of the methods of dividing space within rural and suburban areas, with particular emphasis on delineating garden boundaries. The erected barriers protected the area from intruders, safeguarded crops and buildings, and facilitated property management while, much like a "hortus conclusus," creating an aura of secure refuge.
