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Have you ever imagined walking through streets studded with diamonds? It seems like something out of a fairy tale, but it is the reality of this city of diamonds, where millions of precious stones adorn the walls and streets.
Have you ever imagined walking through streets studded with diamonds? It seems like something from a fairy tale, but it is the reality of the city of Nordlingen, in Germany. With its charming houses and red roofs, the city is literally a city covered in diamonds. Although the gems are tiny and visible only with a microscope, they are there, transforming Nördlingen into a unique and glittering destination. Keep reading to learn more about this city of diamonds.
From volcanic crater to city of diamonds
In the 9th century, the first inhabitants of Nördlingen believed they were settling in a volcanic crater. They had no idea that the stones used to build their homes were full of diamonds. The truth The origin of the crater was actually extraterrestrial.
Around 14,5 million years ago, an asteroid measuring more than 800 meters in diameter collided with the Bavarian region, leaving a crater 25 km wide. The impact was so intense that it turned carbon bubbles in the bedrock into millions of tiny diamonds. This phenomenon also resulted in the formation of a rock called suevite, that contains crystals, glass and diamonds.
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The discovery of diamonds
For centuries, locals paid no attention to the glow of their homes at sunrise. It was only in the 1990s 1960 that two American geologists, upon studying the landscape, they realized that the city of diamonds was not a volcanic crater, but an impact crater. After detailed research, they confirmed that the crater was formed from top to bottom, thus changing the scientific understanding of the region.
One of the most impressive monuments in Nördlingen is St. Georgs Church, which is built entirely of suevite e contains approximately 5.000 carats of diamonds. Despite being extremely small, at a maximum of 0,3 mm, the diamonds make the church glow softly as it catches the sunlight.
Interest from NASA and the scientific community
The discovery of diamonds attracted the attention of NASA, which sent astronauts from the Apollo 14 and Apollo 16 missions to study the crater. They wanted to better understand the types of rocks they would find in space and which ones were worth bringing back to Earth. Today, a lunar sample collected by one of these missions is on display at the local Nördlingen museum, and the city continues to receive visits from astronauts and scientists interested in its unique features.
Currently, Nördlingen, with more than 19 thousand inhabitants, is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The city is home to the Reis Crater Museum and the Bavarian Mountain Museum, as well as offering guided tours of its brilliant architecture. Nördlingen's fascinating history as a city covered in diamonds continues to attract tourists and researchers from NASA and the European Space Agency alike.
City covered in diamonds: combination of science and mystery
Visiting Nördlingen is like stepping into a modern fairytale. The city of diamonds in Bavaria offers a unique combination of history, science and natural beauty. Walking through its streets is a unique experience, knowing that you are literally stepping on millions of tiny diamonds, the result of a cosmic event millions of years ago.
If you are looking for a different and stunning destination, the city of Nördlingen in Germany is a must-see. Not only for its beauty, but also for its incredible history that combines the science and mystery of an asteroid impact with everyday life in a charming German city.
