Römersteinbruch St. Margarethen
Burgenland
Römersteinbruch St. Margarethen is a historic limestone quarry located in the Burgenland region of Austria, near the Neusiedler See. It is one of the oldest still active quarries in Austria, famous for producing the St. Margarethen limestone that was used over 2000 years ago in the Roman city of Carnuntum. From the 16th century onward, this high-quality limestone gained regional importance and was used in prominent constructions such as churches in Sopron and Vienna, including the iconic St. Stephen's Cathedral and Maria am Gestade. During the Baroque period, the quarry's stone contributed to the Karlskirche and many buildings along Vienna's Ringstraße. The quarry is owned by the Esterházy family foundation and was operated by Gustav Hummel GmbH for 66 years until 2017, when Ecker Stein took over. Beyond its industrial significance, the quarry has developed into a cultural landmark. Since 1959, following the initiative of sculptor Karl Prantl, it hosts a European sculptors' symposium, resulting in around 50 stone sculptures displayed outdoors. The quarry also serves as an open-air museum covering approximately 150,000 square meters, featuring informative displays about geology and fossils like whale vertebrae and shark teeth. Since the 1960s, the quarry has been the venue for the St. Margarethen Passion Plays, performed by amateurs every five years, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. Since 1996, the natural stage has also hosted summer opera performances, enhancing its cultural appeal. The site was incorporated into the Fertő/Neusiedler See Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, further recognizing its historical and cultural value. A major redesign of the festival grounds was completed in 2007 by the architecture team AllesWirdGut, improving visitor facilities and experience.
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Tip: The best time to visit Römersteinbruch St. Margarethen is during the summer months when the open-air Passion Plays and opera performances take place. It is advisable to book tickets in advance for these popular cultural events. Visitors can explore the quarry's open-air museum freely, which offers informative panels and displays about the geology and fossils found on site. Discounts may be available for groups or seniors. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to the large outdoor area.
Interesting facts
- •The St. Margarethen limestone was used in the construction of Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral and Karlskirche.
- •The quarry hosts a European sculptors' symposium initiated by Karl Prantl in 1959, resulting in around 50 stone sculptures displayed outdoors.
- •The Passion Plays at the quarry involve up to 650 amateur actors and attract tens of thousands of visitors every five years.
- •Fossils found in the quarry include whale vertebrae, shark teeth, fish, and shell remains.
- •The festival grounds were redesigned in 2007 by the architecture team AllesWirdGut to enhance visitor experience.
History
The quarry has been in operation for over 2000 years, initially supplying limestone for the Roman city of Carnuntum.
From the 16th century, it gained regional prominence, providing stone for significant religious and secular buildings in the region.
Historically owned by the Eisenstadt and St.
Margarethen estates, it is now part of the Esterházy family foundation.
In 1959, sculptor Karl Prantl initiated the European sculptors' symposium, transforming the site into a cultural center.
The Passion Plays began in 1926 and have been performed in the quarry since 1961, evolving into a major cultural attraction.
The quarry and surrounding cultural landscape were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.
Place Guide
Open-Air Museum Area
A large accessible area of about 150,000 square meters featuring information panels about the geological formations and fossils found in the quarry, including whale vertebrae and shark teeth. Visitors can also see various stone sculptures created by European artists over the decades.
Passion Plays Stage1961
The natural stage within the quarry where the Passion Plays have been performed since 1961 by amateur actors. The performances attract large audiences and have a tradition dating back to 1926. The stage is also used for summer opera productions since 1996.
Sculptors' Symposium Site1959
The location where the first European sculptors' symposium was held in 1959, initiated by Karl Prantl. This event marked the transformation of the quarry from a purely industrial site to a cultural landmark with numerous stone sculptures permanently displayed outdoors.
