“Rote Wand?” Many Erfurters might look at you puzzled if you ask them about it. The Rote Wand is a hidden natural monument. It remained inaccessible until 2017.
Now, let’s admire this impressive rock formation. The Rote Wand rises twelve meters high. Trees grow right to the edge. Nature ensures that trees sometimes fall.
This geological formation is made of sediments. They were deposited and compressed over 200 million years ago. Its location on a river bend of the Gera makes it subject to constant erosion. High water levels make it especially impressive.
Since 2004, the Rote Wand has been a protected natural monument. It is part of the Geraaue Gispersleben protected landscape. It is a geological profile. The profile offers insights into different geological eras.
The visible layers of the Rote Wand reveal the region’s geological history. They are of great interest to geologists, nature enthusiasts, and school classes.
The Rote Wand consists of sediment from the Middle Keuper period. It was deposited under arid conditions in the Germanic Basin. The rock consists of clay marl and siltstone. It is predominantly red. A river transported the material. The river briefly reached this area. The same rock is found further east on the Red Mountain.
The opposite bank offers a great view of the Rote Wand. It is accessible via public paths. An information board about the Rote Wand was opened in September 2018.
You can reach the Rote Wand via Sebnitzer Straße and Gisbodusstraße in Gispersleben. The Rote Wand is a little outside of Erfurt. The hidden gem is worth a trip.
A bench invites you to rest. If you bring time and peace, you might spot a kingfisher. They breed and hunt here. The water gently rushes. It takes us away from the hustle and bustle of Erfurt.
The Rote Wand offers a small escape. It combines nature and geological history. A true hidden treasure in Erfurt.