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Discover the historic St. Margarethen quarry - a UNESCO treasure!
Eisenstadt: Discover the historic St. Margarethen quarry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with guided tours and fascinating history.
Discover the historic St. Margarethen quarry - a UNESCO treasure!
The quarry of St. Margarethen is considered one of the oldest still active workstone breaks in Austria and is an important cultural heritage in the region. Today, on May 29, 2025, we would like to take a look at the impressive history and the current use of this extraordinary place. The quarry is located in the Ruster Hügelland, an area that was part of a sea 14 million years ago and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Fertö-Neusiedler See. According to ORF Burgenland the Ruster Hügelland is shaped by its geological lagoon deposits and offers an impressive setting.
The lime sandstone, which is broken down in this quarry, belongs to the Leithakalken and is characterized by lagoon deposits that are up to 30 million years old. The quarry was already in operation in Roman times, which is documented by the discovery of a stone lion and a late Roman grave. This historical context is also supported by Information from St. Margarethen that emphasize that Stein from this region was used in many important buildings, including St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Wiener Ringstraße.
historical developments and use
The Karner was built in St. Margarethen in the 14th century, and in the late 15th century the nave of the church was built, also from the local stone. In addition, part of the quarry, the so -called “Stephanswand”, was reserved especially for the cathedral building hut in St. Stephan. The walls of the quarry today serve not only as a source of raw materials, but also as an impressive backdrop for works of art and opera performances.
The guide offer in the quarry is diverse and is aimed at different target groups. Regular tours are offered that include insights into the history of the break and geological discovery tours. Family tours in particular are very popular because they offer an exciting way to experience the history and the geological peculiarities of the quarry up close. In addition to tours around the quarry, there are also special offers that offer children and adults with informative experiences.
The connection between history, nature and culture makes the quarry of St. Margarethen a unique place in the region. The preservation and further development of this site will not only promote local identity, but also attract tourists and set an important sign of the value of the cultural heritage.