Vättis and the Geopark Sardona

In 2008, the mountainous region on the west side of Vättis, the Tectonic Arena Sardona, has been declared a world heritage site by the UNESCO. The unique stone formations in this area are readily recognizable for every observer. Not only do they build a spectaculair landscape, but their existence was material to the development of modern geological theories.

[View of the Ringelspitz (mountain)]

Ringelspitz, The seperating layer of the overthrust is visible as a yellow line (Photo Korinna Fröhlich, 2008)

[Detail]

Around 1800, father and son Lindt, geologists, discovered that there are old layers of rock lying on top of young layers in an area covering more than 100 kilometers. Only around 1950 could this be adequately explained by the theory of plate tectonics, the movement of the continents.

Around the uninhabited central region of the Tectonic Arena Sardona, lies the Geopark Sardona offering many attractions, for example about the creation of the Alps, the earth, prehistoric habitation, stone use and of course itself having a spectacular landscape.

Vättis lies at one of the entrances into the heart of the world heritage site. An entrance not only for mountain hikes, but also offering insights to less experienced walkers and with even some attractions close to the village.

The local museum "Drachenlochmuseum" shows prehistoric artifacts und gives an overview of the regional geology.
Near Vättis is the "Vättner Fenster", a geological window, where the rock layers making up the Alps from the Aaremassif onwards are visible. A guided tour ("Geologie um Vättis") helps recognizing all there is to see.
The former copper- and silver mine "Chnapperchopf" can also be visited with a guide
A stone sculptor in Vättis offers stone sculpting courses ("Steinbildhauen") and has a public exhibition of his work.

Vättis offers several accomodations, making it easy to leisurely admire and explore the beautiful surroundings and allowing to decide for oneself how exhaustive and exhaustingly to go about it.

The website of the Geopark Sardona shows many attractions called "Geostätte" in the region.

Notice:
The english part of this site is still under construction. If you have questions about the untranslated parts, please feel free to ask here

top