Tanzlinde (Effeltrich)
The Tanzlinde, also known as the Tausendjährige Linde or Dorflinde, is a summer lime tree (Tilia platyphyllos) located in Effeltrich, Upper Franconia, on the western edge of Franconian Switzerland. Positioned on the village square across from the fortified church, the lime tress has held a significant role as a central gathering, assembly, and judicial site for centuries. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, it also served as a venue for festivals and dances. Notably, the tree's growth features a distinctive flat-oval crown, a result of historical bast extraction for the cultivation of fruit trees. The lime tree in the Franconian region is often seen as the most beautiful among many village lime trees. Many tales, stories, and legends are attributed to the lime tree due to its varied life. Description Despite its old age, the lime tree maintains a strong and vibrant appearance, with its branches retaining well-leafy and abundant blossoms even at the top. The crown rests on a double ring-shaped beam framework comprising 24 supports, with the outer ring sitting on a 49-meter-long and 90-centimeter-high stone wall encircling the tree. This final stone wall also serves to protect the root area inside the wall. Without this framework of