Geopark Porphyrland – Land of Supervolcanoes

A Geoparks is much more than just a beautiful landscape – it is a Window into Earth's historyIn a geopark, significant geological features are made visible, explained, and made tangible. These include unusual rock formations, fossil finds, old quarries, and traces of volcanic activity.

The focus is not only on the protection of these geological treasures, but above all on their educational and tourist useGeoparks invite you to understand the origins of our Earth – outdoors in nature, on themed hiking trails, at interactive stations, at information points, or in museums.

The Geopark is also the scene of an extraordinary geological phenomenon: supervolcanism.

Around 290 million years ago, during the so-called Rotliegend period, many parts of Central Europe were home to an enormously large, active volcanic area. At that time, two massive eruptions occurred in Saxony: the "Rochlitz Eruption" and the so-called "Wurzen Eruption," which permanently altered large parts of the Earth's surface. What occurred here was far more than a normal volcanic eruption—it was what geologists call supervolcanism.

What is supervolcanism?

A supervolcano isn't a classic volcano with a typical cone. Instead, a huge magma chamber forms beneath the Earth's surface, which fills with gases and magma over millennia. When the pressure becomes too great, an explosion occurs – thousands of times more powerful than a normal volcanic eruption. This releases enormous amounts of rock, ash, and lava, which can transform entire landscapes and influence the global climate. Such mega-eruptions leave lasting traces in the Earth's crust – so-called calderas. Remains of these calderas can also be found in porphyry land.

Im Geoportal Röcknitz Geology comes alive! The multimedia exhibition “Supervolcanoes in Saxony” takes you on an exciting journey through time to the explosive origins of the region – interactive, vivid and fascinating for all ages. Right next door, the Volcano playground “Fred Porphyrstein” for climbing, sliding and playful exploration. If you want to delve even deeper, you can GeoAdventureGarden explore nature with all your senses.

And the best thing: In the geoportal, knowledge can be combined with time and peace – whether Coworking with a view of the green or a Accommodation in the middle of the volcanic cultural landscape.

What does the Rochlitz porphyry tuff have to do with famous buildings such as the grave of Emanuel Kant, the cathedral in Kallingrad, and the Old Leipzig Town Hall? The answer lies in the Geoportal at Rochlitzer Berg.

The Rochlitzer Berg is more than just a striking table mountain. The Geoportal features an exciting exhibition on the origins of the famous Rochlitz porphyry—the stone from which the Dresden Zwinger Palace was built.

A real highlight: the VR time travel in the disused Gleisberg quarry. With the VR glasses, you travel back millions of years and experience how landscapes were formed from fire and rock. Afterwards, it's time for some fresh air: Whether over the porphyry educational trail with 15 stations or the historical circular route with Tower, mountain cellar and hermitage – here history comes to life.

A journey into the fascinating everyday life of the former stone workers awaits you in the charming Museum Steinarbeiterhaus HohburgBetween old tools, photos, and personal memories, you can feel how closely the lives of the people were connected to the volcanic porphyry rock. In the Hohburg Mountains, two georoutes to explore: The Mining trail leads through former mining areas, the Georoute Kleiner Berg impresses with magnificent views, old quarries and geological traces in the terrain.

If you want to take a closer look, you can join a guided tour with a GeoRanger – perfect for asking questions, discovering special features and seeing the Hohburg Mountains with new eyes.