New Geopark Information Center at the Göppingen County Office
In the Göppingen district, the Earth’s geological history is now more visible than ever: a new information center at the UNESCO Global Geopark Schwäbische Alb invites visitors to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the Jurassic period.
The district of Göppingen lies largely within the boundaries of the UNESCO Global Geopark Schwäbische Alb—and is rich in geological features. With the new information center at the district administration office, this heritage is now even more accessible.
A special highlight awaits visitors right on site: an approximately 180-million-year-old ichthyosaur fossil. It represents the significant fossil finds from the region’s Posidonia Shale—including the ichthyosaur graveyard in Eislingen, known throughout Europe.
District Administrator Markus Möller emphasized the significance of this new attraction at the inauguration: The ichthyosaur is an “ambassador from another time” that brings the region’s geological treasures to life. At the same time, the 25th information center underscores the Göppingen district’s clear commitment to the Geopark.
Geopark Chairman Ulrich Ruckh also emphasized that the information center vividly conveys the region’s geological history, landscape development, and geological features—thus bringing the past to life in a way that is easy to understand.
Part of a strong network
Geopark information centers serve as key hubs for sharing knowledge within the UNESCO Global Geopark Schwäbische Alb. They provide information on the Earth’s history and the close connection between landscape and culture—while each center focuses on its own specific themes.
With the new information center in the district administration office, the Göppingen district is once again part of this network, as the Göppingen Natural History Museum is currently closed. The geological offerings in the district are complemented by the Unterdrackenstein tufa terraces and the Aichelberg volcanic vent. Additional locations, such as the Hausener Wand, are already in the planning stages. In the future, the Überkingen thermal baths could also expand the information center network.
The information center in the foyer of the Göppingen District Office is accessible during regular business hours and offers all interested visitors fascinating insights into the geological history of the Swabian Alb.
