Tharandter Wald

At the heart of the GEOPARK lies the Tharandter Wald (Tharandt Forest). It is about 60 square kilometers  in size and home to the geographical center of Saxony.

Bernhard von Cotta, a famous geologist and mining expert, recognized its geological significance in the 18th century already. Having served the Prince Elector as forest district and hunting ground in the past, the Tharandter Wald, a purely coniferous forest in former times, today is a popular recreational area. Numerous hiking trails and scenic spots invite visitors to explore and relax while the mildly stimulating climate unfolds its soothing effect.

Ost-Erzgebirge

Towards the South of the GEOPARK Sachsens Mitte the shape of the landscape becomes rougher and more distinctive. Rivers like the Rote and Wilde Weißeritz as well as the Bobritzsch gush from the ore mountains (Erzgebirge) cutting deep valleys from the stone – at times torrentially, sometimes quietly gurgling along. This is how the V-shaped “Rabenauer Grund” valley came into existence. Alongside the “Rote Weißeritz” river runs the narrow-gauge railway “Weißerritzbahn”. Near Klingenberg there is the “Wilde Weißeritz” dam, its reservoir lake having earned the title “water glass of Dresden”. Via an educational trail on potable water one can reach the Lehnmühle dam from here.

Nossen-Wilsdruffer Schiefergebirge

At the Northern rim of the Tharandter Wald the Eastern Erzgebirge ends with a terrace vis-à-vis the Nossen-Wilsdruffer Schiefergebirge (Slate Mountains). The area is mostly flat.

The romantic Triebisch River Valley cuts through the landscape here. Alongside the river one enjoys untouched natural paths and is able to relax.

Döhlener Becken

About 290 million years ago the Döhlener Becken (Döhlener Basin) south west of Dresden came into existence. Its center today is the city of Freital. In the sedimentary layers of the basin there are coal beds that have been actively mined for almost 450 years in the region. At times uranium and limestone were extracted as well.

Rare discoveries like a stone slab with six almost complete skeletons of the Pantelosaurus provide a glimpse into times long gone by. Plant fossils of a tree-size horsetail plant lent its name to an entire geological profile section called “Blumengebirge” (Flower Mountains).

Historical mining sites

In the South of the GEOPARK hikers find numerous traces from 800 years of mining history: mine-shafts, stockpiles, man-made channels and trenches left their mark on nature.

With the first silver ore findings in the area around Freiberg and Dippoldiswalde Saxony’s glory days began. Newly created mines and mining-galleries sprang from the ground everywhere. Today, the sound of hammers and tools is no more.

Nevertheless, countless vestiges of mining can be found to this day giving this landscape its unique cultural tradition.

National Geotope “Porphyrfächer“ (Porphyry Fan)/ Tharandter Wald Caldera

The eye-catching, almost fully circular form of the Tharandter Wald is the effect of a magmatic eruption with an ensuing collapse of the caldera 300 million years ago.  Effusive acid rocks formed which today can be seen at the national geotope “Porphyrfächer“  in Mohorn-Grund.

It is one of the most distinctive geological outcrops because of its extremely noteworthy fan-shaped structure of the stone pillars.

Wood Art from the Erzgebirge

Closely entwined with the mining industry is also the rise of regional wood art. The flower bearers, smokers, nut crackers, and candle arches are only one example of the stunning variety of wooden artefacts.

KNOX-incense candles (Räucherkerzen)

At the KNOX Räucherkerzenmuseum in Mohorn-Grund one learns a lot about the history, raw materials and ingredients of the famous KNOX incense candles known throughout Germany.

Catch a glimpse directly over the shoulder of the artists themselves or make your own incense candle at a traditional workshop beautifully designed to your needs.

GEOPARK Mobile “Saxificus“ and GEOPARK Ranger

Teaching works best on site! The “Saxificus“ carries the GEOPARK team around in the region.  Frequent topics for presentation are regional geology, getting to know rocks and stones, protection of geotopes and biotopes, the forest and its functions, as well as the history and cultural heritage of the region.

Whether you would like to bring a real geologist’s hammer to use on a stone or throw a glance through the microscope: the GEO-Mobile has all the equipment on board!

Of course there is also a lot of informational material from the region with numerous tips for excursions and events. The GEOPARK rangers introduce themselves and present their hiking tours and offers.

Partners

• GEOPARK-Ranger und Gästeführer ERZGEBIRGE
• BILDUNGSSERVICE Rolf Mögel
• Botanischer Garten Schellerhau
• Förderverein Geologie im Tharandter Wald g. e. V.
• Grüne Schule grenzenlos e. V.
• Hof am Alten Fernweg
• Jugendfreizeithof Grillenburg
• Naturschutzstation Osterzgebirge e. V.
• Schäferei u. Spinnstube Drutschmann
• Umweltbildungshaus Johannishöhe
• Waldgeist Steffen Günther
• SILVITA
• WaldErlebnisWerkstatt SYLVATICON
• WaldschulheimWahlsmühle
• Umweltzentrum Freital e. V.