Abstract Special attention was paid to geology and mineralogy in the German countries around 1800. Following the final decades of the eighteenth century, during which an essential understanding of the natural history of the Earth was gained, geology developed into an independent science. Mining was dependent on geological findings, which in turn promoted geology. This process was driven by lecturers in the mining academies founded at that time, mining civil servants, university professors and also by private scholars. In this process, the Mining Academy of Freiberg, at which German and foreign students took their degrees, was of great importance. Abraham Gottlob Werner worked there as a lecturer who combined geological findings – based on his theory of Neptunism – into one systematic doctrine, imparting his ideas to many students over decades. These students became successful mining and metallurgy officials in the first years of the nineteenth century, and professors of geology and mineralogy at universities in Germany and abroad. During the same period, Leopold von Buch and Alexander von Humboldt contributed to the consolidation of geology as a natural science in Germany. Leopold von Buch had not only recognized the task of developing historical geology; he himself made important contributions to the stratigraphy of the Mesozoic and to palaeontology. The term ‘guide fossil’ was established by him. His coloured geological map of Western and Central Europe, published in 1826 and with five editions up to 1843, met with great approval.

Abstract Two geological travellers, who clearly differ in their approach to scientific questions and their interpretation, are presented. Goethe was mainly interested in natural phenomenon and linking the interpretation of his observations in a deductive approach to a philosophically and psychologically influenced, more general view of natural mechanisms. Sternberg, on the other hand, chose an inductive approach in his conclusions from geological observations and never inclined to any philosophical explanations behind them. Goethe's natural philosophy behind his scientific concepts was strongly formed by Baruch de Spinoza (1632–1677) and led to his own subjective approach of interpreting scientific phenomena. However, Sternberg's knowledge of geognosy along the formations in the Habsburg region and in Germany is based on numerous observations at various locations and on the comparison of his findings, having a vast general knowledge on the geology of a wide area. Goethe and Sternberg's correspondence between 1820–1832 gives insight into the specific differences between these two travellers and their individual methods of geological investigation.