Suche
Mein Konto
UNESCO auditors visit Geopark: A milestone for the Harz!
UNESCO is examining the Harz Geopark on the occasion of its tenth anniversary - insight into the geological treasures of the region.
UNESCO auditors visit Geopark: A milestone for the Harz!
In Bad Harzburg, where the treetop path fits harmoniously into nature, Eva Ronkainen-Kolb and Holger Kolb have become new partners of the UNESCO Harz Geopark. Braunschweiger Land. Ostfalen (HBLO) established. This happy news is confirmed by regionalheute.de as the Geopark celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025.
Last week was the review by UNESCO. From June 30 to July 4, 2025, auditors Alberto Gil Toja from Spain and Sarina from China traveled to the region. They were accompanied by Dr. Gösta Hoffmann from the German UNESCO Commission and the Geopark Support Association. This regular capacity review aims to ensure the quality of the geoparks at an international level and takes place every four years.
The exciting revalidation
The revalidation began in the impressive Königslutter Imperial Cathedral, an outstanding Romanesque building that brings history to life. The visit toGeopark Information Center Königsluttershowed the participants the geological diversity of the Braunschweig region. Further stops included the Beienrode salt dump, the Ummendorf Bördemuseum and the geopoint on the history of open-cast lignite mining in Schöningen.
Particularly impressive was the Jura Sea Schamlaha geopoint, where well-preserved fossils were discovered. We also visited the Imperial Palace of Werla, once a center of power in the Middle Ages. There is also news from the treetop path - a new information center has been opened there, supplemented by the HarzWaldHaus, which now also operates as a geopark information point.
The geopark idea in Germany
The UNESCO geoparks in Germany have been providing valuable experience for a long time before they were officially recognized as such in 2015. They are under the umbrella of the European Geopark Network (EGN) and the Global Geopark Network (GGN). A visit to the Geopark not only promotes awareness of the earth's history, but also actively engages in landscape conservation, nature conservation and sustainable tourism. These activities go hand in hand with the goals of the Global Sustainability Agenda, which underlines the role and importance of geoparks today.
As part of the revalidation, innovative facilities such as the newly designed “cow benches” on the Höhenvieh path were inaugurated, which offer visitors a nice place to rest. The Neudorf mining circular hiking trail provides exciting insights into the over 600-year-long history of ore mining. And the program was rounded off with a visit to the Teufelsmauer near Weddersleben, an outstanding national geotope.
The final discussion took place on the premises of the Harz Association. The decision on revalidation by UNESCO is not expected to be made until the end of 2025. These events not only offer an excellent platform to put the Geopark in the right light, but are also important for the future development and preservation of the unique nature and culture of our region.
There are specific rules for geoparks that want to change their area: changes in boundaries are possible by a maximum of 10% and must be requested during the official submission period from October 1st to November 30th every year, as UNESCO itself explains unesco.org.