Steinbrüche von Wernsbach, Sandstone quarry and geological site in Georgensgmünd, Germany
The Steinbrüche von Wernsbach is a sandstone quarry with steep mining walls reaching up to 26 feet (8 meters) high and weathered rock faces throughout. The site features artificial tunnels and stone arches created during centuries of extraction work.
Sandstone extraction in Wernsbach started around 500 years ago to supply building material for castles and structures up to 40 kilometers away. This long tradition of quarrying shaped the landscape and made the area a major stone supplier in the region.
The place is named after the stream running through the area. People use this site mainly for hiking and exploring the local geology on foot.
The quarry is accessible via a marked hiking trail that provides good orientation for visitors exploring the site. Parking is available near a pond at the southeastern edge of the area, making a visit straightforward.
The sandstone here dates back to the Triassic period about 215 million years ago, when this area sat at the southern edge of the Germanic Basin. The stone was valuable enough to be transported all the way to Nuremberg for use in major construction projects.
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