Swiss Geoparks

Géoparcs Suisses
Geoparchi Svizzeri
Geoparcs Svizzers

Sardona (SG, GR, GL)

Geotourism Hotspots and Educational Area Surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona

since 1999

Website for the UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona
Churfirsten above Lake Walen, Source: UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona, Photo: Ruedi Homberger

A geopark surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona

The site’s globally unique visibility of mountain formation, its exemplary history of research, and its significance for geological research led to its inscription as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2009.

Engi State Quarry, Canton of Glarus
Fish fossils from the Landesplattenberg Engi


Since 2000, numerous geoscience-related initiatives have been supported and implemented in the educational and outreach area surrounding the World Heritage Site. This makes the TektonikArena Sardona the most significant region for geotourism in Switzerland.

Projects and Services

  • School Programs and Teaching Materials
  • GeoGuides for Exciting Tours
  • Visitor Centers and Museums
Visitor centers provide information on geology, landscape, biodiversity, and culture in the valleys of Eastern Switzerland; Glarus Train Station
The Rhine Gorge, Sediments from the Flims Landslide

International Significance

In addition to its unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, the region boasts a fascinating geodiversity with great geotourism potential, including:

  • Flims Landslide – The Largest Landslide in the Alps (Canton of Graubünden)
  • The Gonzen Iron Mine, a mine of great economic and strategic importance, is now a visitor mine (Canton of St. Gallen)
  • Engi State Plateau, unique fossils from the deep sea and cultural attractions in the mountain (Canton of Glarus)
Flims Landslide, the largest landslide in the Alps, Canton of Graubünden
Orchestral Music in the Mountain, Engi State Coal Mine, Canton of Glarus
The Gonzen iron mine near Sargans was of economic and strategic importance as the only iron ore mine in Switzerland that operated continuously throughout the 20th century.

“The educational and geotourism area surrounding the Sardona World Heritage Site serves as a model region for a Swiss geopark centered on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the potential to become a UNESCO geopark itself.”

Thomas Buckingham

Geologist, Delegate for the UNESCO World Heritage Site TektonikArena Sardona