Tectonic Arena Sardona

Some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites are so breathtaking that it is kind of obvious why and how they have landed on the list. For others it is less obvious. But when you go there, you are likely to be surprised in each case.

Today, we will visit one of these less obvious sites - the Tectonic Arena Sardona, located in the Swiss canton of Glarus.

The Sardona site is unique because of it geological features, where different parts of rocks have moved in a way to create clearly visible lines.

To see them you may decide to take a longer hike. Unfortunately, not too well prepared for horses. Or you can go to one of the visitors' centers. There is one in the town of Elm.

You can admire there many different rocks. Striped of course.

Alternatively, you can go to the capital city of the canton Glarus, called (what a surprise) - Glarus. There, you need to look for the train station.

Next to it you will find yet some more rocky mountains, almost entering the city.

Inside the train station, you can visit the Natural Museum of the canton. There are foxes ...

... and beavers.

You can also study plans under a microscope.

You can also touch the precious stones. Well, maybe they are not really precious but for sure they are special.

Finally,  you can read lots of stories about the geological history of the region.

Finally, as a third option (am I not being generous with you today?), you can go on the shores of the Walensee, at the border of canton Glarus and Sankt Gallen. The mountains that surround the lake are part of the Sardona Tectonic Arena.

The contrast of the turquoise water and the high mountains is really impressive.

When you look up, you will spot immediately the layer of the rock that was inversed, turning in a way where the younger layer is actually on top of the older.

I must say that the Tectonic Arena Sardona was a surprisingly nice place to see. If you have a spare hour somewhere in the Eastern part of Switzerland, come and admire yourself the mountains and their stripes.