Zeidlerei is a cultural technique that has largely been forgotten today. In the past, however, it shaped entire regions. Forests full of bee colonies were found between the Baltic Sea and the Upper Palatinate. The basis for this form of forest beekeeping were old giant trees. Their trunks served as artificial bee dwellings at a height of around six meters. They could only be reached using a special rope climbing technique. Due to the great value of honey and wax, the Zeidel trees were under particularly strict protection. No strangers were allowed to climb them. If they did, they faced drastic penalties. But how did beekeeping work in living trees? What kind of people took on this difficult work? And was it even worth the effort?
At the stand of the "Bee History" project, you can find out all about the once secret techniques of the beekeepers, the economic importance of beekeeping and the traditions that were cultivated within the beekeeping groups.
