Ever since man began to settle down in a given area, he has enclosed it against animals and other people. Later, these enclosures were expanded more and more until they took on more functions and gradations. Based on examples from the history of world culture, the author ponders whether it is a way of designating the Lebensraum, a way of regulating settlement of an area, a separation to maintain distance, the feeling of safety or isolation, or whether it is a consequence of fear of other men and the forces of nature.