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UNESCO World Heritage Sardona
Close-up of the Tschingelhörner showing the clearly visible horizontal line separating different rock layers.

Along the magical line

How does old rock end up on top of young rock? The plate tectonics are presented on the mountain flanks in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sardona, as if drawn on a blackboard. The white ‘magical’ line connects the lower, newer rock with the older rock on top. If you look more closely, the eastern part of the canton of Glarus, extending beyond the borders of St. Gallen and Graubünden, is dotted with GeoSites that explain the formation of the Earth.

What is tectonics?
A couple looks out from a rocky ridge onto a wide mountain valley with snowfields and prominent peaks.
UNESCO Experiences
Three hikers stand on a green mountain meadow looking at the surrounding Alpine landscape; a guide points into the distance.
Aerial view of the snow-covered, jagged Tschingelhörner peaks under a clear blue sky.
The striking Tschingelhörner are a centerpiece of the UNESCO Tectonic Arena Sardona.

Glarus main thrust fault receives prestigious international award

For the second time, the Glarus main thrust fault has received an internationally significant certificate. Following the UNESCO award in 2008, the site was awarded the prestigious Global Geological Heritage Award in South Korea on 27 August 2024.

Learn more

Exhibitions & Visitor Centres

Elm
Visitor Centre UNESCO World Heritage TectonicArena Sardona, Elm
Time travel through the mountains.
Glarus
Visitor Centre UNESCO world heritage TectonicArena Sardona, Glarus
Exciting facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona, the formation of mountains and their function as a habitat for humans and nature.
Sargans
GeoGuides Sardona
Discover the Sardona World Heritage Site up close with the expert GeoGuides.
Elm
Sardona Activ-App
With hiking suggestions, excursion destinations and tour planner

Spirit of Sardona Shop

Are you looking for relaxation? Or do you want to recharge your batteries? Or perhaps you would like to learn something new about the exciting UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Tectonic Arena Sardona? Whatever it is that you need right now, you will find it here. Immerse yourself in the various experiences of the ‘Spirit of Sardona’ and find the offer that suits you best.

To the shop
Three hikers ascend a steep, flowery mountain meadow with the silhouette of the Tschingelhörner in the background.
Ascent to the Tschinglen Alp with a direct view of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
A large crowd gathers in front of a white church in Elm to watch the sun shining directly through the Martinsloch hole in the mountains.
Twice a year in Elm, the sun shines through the Martinsloch directly onto the church tower—a fascinating natural phenomenon.

Events

From guided tours in the impressive Landesplattenberg to informative hikes in the UNESCO World Heritage Sardona area – the event calendar has a lot to offer.

All UNESCO-Events

Hiking paradise UNESCO World Heritage Site Sardona

Experience the original landscapes and protected witnesses of the Earth’s history in an active way.

The collision of Africa with Europe has built up the Alps over millions of years. Original rock layers were pushed on top of each other, folded and broken. The diverse evidence and traces of these enormous forces are exceptionally well visible in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona.

More www.unesco-sardona.ch

Experience map with tips on viewpoints, top experiences and attractions

 

Let yourself be inspired...

Explanatory video...