Nördlingen: The German Town Embedded with Millions of Tiny Diamonds
Nestled in the heart of Bavaria, southern Germany, lies the charming town of Nördlingen. At first glance, it appears to be a typical German town, with its medieval church, St.-Georgs-Kirche, dominating the skyline, and its red-pitched roofs dotting the landscape. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that Nördlingen is far from ordinary. Its buildings are adorned with millions of microscopic diamonds, making it a truly unique destination.
The Diamond-Studded Town
The diamonds in Nördlingen are a result of a cataclysmic event that occurred approximately 15 million years ago. An asteroid struck this region of Bavaria, creating the massive Nördlingen Ries crater, which stretches over nine miles across the German countryside. The impact also created suevite, a type of rock that is commonly found at impact sites and contains diamonds.
When the asteroid hit the Earth, the immense pressure caused graphite-bearing gneiss rocks in the region to transform into diamonds. It is estimated that the Ries crater contains more than 72,000 tons of diamonds.
Building with Suevite
During the Middle Ages, settlers began to establish what would become Nördlingen. They constructed the town’s protective wall, which still stands today, using chunks of suevite. The townspeople were unaware that the rocks they were quarrying were the result of an asteroid impact. In fact, for centuries, locals believed that the massive depression was actually a volcanic crater.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that geologists confirmed that the crater was the result of an asteroid. And it would be another decade before scientists discovered the diamonds in the rocks.
A Scientific and Historical Wonder
Today, Nördlingen is a popular destination for visitors from around the world who come to marvel at this town of diamonds. The Ries Crater Museum regularly holds guided tours of the town, showcasing specimens from the Ries crater and other craters around the world, including a lunar sample from Apollo 16.
While other German cities and towns have buildings made of suevite, Nördlingen has an abundance of diamonds seen nowhere else on earth, making it a truly unique and fascinating place.
Exploring Nördlingen
- Visit the Ries Crater Museum to learn about the asteroid impact and see specimens from the crater.
- Take a guided tour of the town to see the diamond-studded buildings, including St.-Georgs-Kirche.
- Visit the Stadtmauermuseum (Town Wall Museum) to learn about the town’s history and its role in various wars.
- Explore the medieval Old Town, with its charming cobblestone streets and colorful buildings.
- Enjoy the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants and cafes in the town square.
Nördlingen is a town that seamlessly blends history, science, and natural beauty. Its diamond-studded buildings and unique geological heritage make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring the wonders of our planet.