Fertőrákosi Barlangszínház

Fertőrákosi Kőfejtő

Useful Information

Location:	Fertőrákos, 10 km from Sopron.
Open:	APR to OCT daily 8-19. NOV to MAR daily 10-16. [2010]
Fee:
Classification:	Limestone Quarries and Mine Cave Church
Light:	electric
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Fertőrákosi Kőfejtő, Fő utca 1, 9421 Fertõrákos, Tel: +36-99-355026.
Last update:	$Date: 2011/12/13 08:56:36 $

History


Roman times		begin of quarrying in the area.
1628		quarry opened.
1944		transit/labour camp established in a quarry by the Germans.
1948		end of quarrying.
1970		first concert in the quarry.
2001		inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Description

The Fertőrákosi Kőfejtő (Fertörakos Quarry) is an ancient limestone quarry. The Leitha limestone is of Middle Miocene Badenian age, it was named after the Leithagebirge just across the border in Austria. The limestone was quarried since Roman times, and many buildings in the area and in Vienna were constructed using this rock. But the limestone was rather deep below a cover of other rocks and soil. So after a long time of open cast quarrying, the limestone was finally mined underground. The result were huge underground chambers, almost rectangular, with 12m to 15m high ceilings which are supported by huge pillars. The quarry was mined in the ancient room and pillar technique.

The quarrying ended in 1948, and for many years it was unused. Then the great accoustics of the place was discovered. The nearby city of Sopron has a music festival once a year, and since 1970 there are regular concerts in the quarry. The chamber which is used as a concert hall is called Fertőrákosi Barlangszínház (Fertörakos Cave Theatre). During summer it is also used for theatre performances. The chamber is big enough to seat 743 persons.

Fertőrákosi Barlangszínház

Fertőrákosi Kőfejtő

Useful Information

History

Description

See also