© Frank Schmidt

On the Trail of Volcanism

Part of the Schillingbruch in the Geopark Porphyrland.

supervolcanoes in the middle of Saxony? Don't worry, they died out millions of years ago. But their impact can still be impressively understood today - best in the Geopark Porphyrland. Steinreich in SaxonyHere you will find amazing Insights into Earth and Cultural History commanded.

Stone-rich, in the literal sense, is the land east of the city of Leipzig between the Hohburg Mountains, the Collm near Oschatz and the Rochlitzer Berg. The extraction of raw materials such as kaolin and porphyry, continues to shape the region as an important industry that shapes the landscape. The fascinating geology of this landscape is a testament to consequence of explosive volcanic eruptions gigantic proportions about 290 million years ago. In the Geopark Porphyrland the history of stone mining, which continues to this day Importance of Kaolin for the production of everyday items such as ceramics, paper and cosmetics for geology enthusiasts of all ages.

Recently, Rochlitz porphyry tuff was the first German natural stone to be recognized as a unique stone worldwide with the award "IUGS Heritage Stone".

Geopark Porphyrland

An overview map with the geoportals of the Leipzig region.

National Geoparks serve the preservation, conservation, presentation and News of geological heritageThey convey knowledge about the relationships in the Earth's interior and on the Earth's surface, about geophysics, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, soil science, but also about industrial culture, botany and meteorology.

In Germany, 17 Geoparks have the title "National Geopark" – since 2014 also the Geopark Porphyrland. Steinreich in Saxony.

Whether on foot or by bike - the Porphyrland Geopark can be explored at your own pace. Thematic routes for hikers and cyclists lead to special places of geology, culture and industrial history. The varied landscape of the Porphyrland Geopark invites you to be discovered in all its facets.

georoutes

© www.siesing.de, Wolfgang Siesing

Discover great travel offers

Group tour “Wilder Robert” – 
Discover LEIPZIG REGION

© www.christianhueller.de, Christian Hüller

Geoportal

Window to Contemporary History

Raw material kaolin in the geoportal Bahnhof Mügeln "Erlebniswelt Kaolin"
© Frank Schmidt

If you have the traces of the past read the effects on the present understand and approaches for the Shaping a Sustainable Future want to experience, you are in the geoportals in Porphyrland exactly right. The portals are equally visitor center and starting point for discovery tours into the surrounding area to geotopes or sights.

The visitor centers regularly invite you to guided hikes, adventure walks, geocaching, bike and boat tours, but also too lectures and workshops .

Welcome to Leipzig - The Podcast for your Leipzig Trip

© www.tomwilliger.de, Tom Williger

geotopes

Geotopes are geological sights such as quarries, special rock formations and mineral springs that offer windows into the earth's history and bear traces of mountain formations, climate changes and river courses. Geopark Porphyrland The wind-cut and glacial scratches on the Kleiner Berg near Hohburg, the porphyry tuff from Rochlitzer Berg and the Kirchbruch in Beucha are among the National Geotopes of Germany. 

Geo-raw materials in the Geopark Porphyrland

Im Geopark Porphyrland The history of the earth comes to life in fascinating rock formations and valuable geo-raw materials. A world full of geological treasures that tell stories that are millions of years old is waiting to be discovered. The various porphyries and kaolin make the diversity and wealth of the geo-raw materials found here unique. In addition to solid rocks such as porphyry, limestone and quartzite, the geopark also contains numerous loose rocks such as gravel sand, clay and loam. The area is also known for its significant kaolin deposits and local brown coal deposits.

Various geo-raw materials can be found in the Porphyrland Geopark - including: 

  • porphyry

  • Kaolin

  • Water

  • Brown coal

  • Tertiary quartzite

GeoGenuss products

Fine chocolate biscuits commemorating the Collm mountain in the Leipzig region, GeoGenuss product, geological history
© www.geopark-porphyrland.de, Geopark Porphyrland

Earth history that you can taste! Try the unusual creations with geological-culinary names such as "Süße Collmspitze", "Wermsdorfer Platte", "Johannis Porphyrtuff" or "Sale eggs in lava flow", which producers, restaurateurs and confectioners have specially created with the Geopark Porphyrland have developed. With the GeoGenuss products What we cannot always see becomes tangible: how the ancient history of the soil beneath our feet, the geological raw materials (such as porphyry, kaolin and lignite) and the long tradition of fruit growing are all linked together.

brochure “On the trail of lava and ice”

If you would like to get an overview of the geotourism offers and events in the Leipzig region, the flyer "On the trail of lava and ice" is a good guide. You can download the flyer here or get it from the tourist information offices in Leipzig and the surrounding area as well as from all geoportals of the Geopark Porphyrland.

All tips and individual discovery tours