Teufelsschlucht dinosaur park
Ernzen
Knowledge - Experience - Fun
Turning scientific findings into experiences - that is the theme of the Teufelsschlucht Dinosaur Park. The large theme and adventure park in the immediate vicinity of the Devil's Gorge presents over 170 life-size reconstructions of predominantly extinct species from more than 600 million years ago in its extensive grounds and offers insights into current scientific research with the "PaleoLab".
Time travel through the history of the earth
On the almost 2 km long circular route through the extensive park grounds, visitors travel through the history of the earth - from the first land creatures to modern humans. The life-size models of animals and humans reflect the current state of scientific research. At the centre: the dinosaurs. Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Velociraptor and, of course, the Tyrannosaurus Rex can be seen here alongside many other dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. At 45 metres long and more than 8 metres high, the Seismosaurus, the "earth shaker", surpasses all others in size; the model of this giant is the largest dinosaur model in Europe. A model of the Eifelosaurus (its real name ;-)), a prehistoric reptile whose remains were uncovered near Hillesheim in the Eifel, was made especially for the Dinopark. And of course, a star of the park is the Dilophosaurus, the Devil's Gorge dinosaur: The fossils of this large predatory dinosaur, which lived 200 million years ago, were found in nearby Luxembourg - in the same sandstone that makes up the Devil's Gorge! You can also meet a "Devilosaurus" here in the dinosaur park in Ernzen - a unique specimen. The father of the park mascot is the well-known Trier painter and graphic artist Josef Hammen.
Explore and experience
The "Explorer Camp", the hands-on area in the centre of the park, invites visitors to try things out and explore. The scientific preparation workshop for fossils, the "PaleoLab", is also located here. In the preparation laboratory, visitors learn how to make stones talk: Original finds of extinct species are processed here for palaeontological research, exhibitions and collections. Guided tours and workshops give interested parties an authentic insight into current research. In the research camp, children can uncover small dinosaur skeletons or real fossils, open fascinating crystal geodes with a little manual dexterity and care, remove shiny pyrite cubes from the rock and split open fossil slabs that may reveal a fossilised fish - activities that also fascinate adults.
Quiz stations and brief information sessions with the mascot Teo the Devilosaurus provide entertaining information that is easy to understand, and not just for children. In addition to the research camp, the park offers children many other play opportunities and activity areas related to the theme of "prehistory". The dinosaur cinema, picnic stations and a group meeting point, the outdoor restaurant "Dino's Diner" and last but not least the dinosaur shop with a wide range of products round off the park's offer.
Free and highly recommended: the audio guide for the Dino Park! In German - English - Dutch - French. Simply download it to your smartphone and off you go on a journey through time!
Up-to-date information on opening times and prices at www.dinopark-teufelsschlucht.de