A Place where Nature can Work it's Magic
20-30 million of years ago, this quarry was part of the seabed. The limestone rocks contain a wealth of marine fossils. If you are lucky, you will find prehistoric mussels, corals, sea urchins and coralline algae. The limestone from the quarry was used for building St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, and the grandest buildings along the Vienna‘s Ringstraße. The colours and shapes of the rocks appear to change, according to where the sun is shining.
Ever since 1996, the St. Margarethen Quarry has been a favourite meeting place for international opera lovers. This open-air stage in beautiful Burgenland (65 km southeast of Vienna) provides a natural forum for bringing together cultures and people from East and West.
Set in the midst of a historic landscape, this venue will transport you to a world of new, unique experiences. By providing first-rate facilities for staging popular and top quality opera productions, their festival has succeeded in attracting enthusiastic audiences as well as international opera stars and musicians.
One of Europe’s most beautiful and impressive open-air arenas, operas have been performed at St. Margarethen Quarry since 1996. With the Esterházy Foundation as its owner, this location was redeveloped in 2006. AWG, a young, international architects group from Vienna, designed exciting architecture that was also sensitively attuned to the setting, a space that had actually been an industrial site for many centuries.
Europe's largest natural stage
The St. Margarethen Quarry is Europe’s largest natural stage. This natural open-air concert hall covers an area of 7.000 m2, which gives it a wonderful acoustic and inspires feelings of awe. The natural and man-made architecture of the quarry enhances the emotional impact of the music on the 4.700 opera-goers in the audience.
Its monumental stone walls, special climate, unique flora and fauna and its incomparable acoustic, together with its ability to enthral its visitors for hours at a time, all combine to produce an unforgettable festival. The quarry arouses feelings, inspires affection and brings people together. It’s an exclusive place; a place that the public enjoys returning to, again and again.
Gastronomy
OPERA LOUNGE
The Opera Lounge’s panorama terrace provides a stylish venue to entertain friends or business partners at prestigious events, or to hold private receptions and celebrations. Suitable both for small groups of two or more and large gatherings of up to 200 people.
Only bookable during the festival season in combination with an opera ticket.
ContaCt
T +43 664 965 7930
GASTRONOMY IN THE FOYER PARK
Art and culinary delights combine at the St. Margarethen Quarry. In the spacious Foyer Park international specialities and regional delicacies are served with new menus compiled for every new production. Before the performance and during the intermission you can enjoy delicious treats: mouthwatering snacks, warm meals, and dessert with your coffee..
Getting here
Blaguss shuttle bus from Vienna
Departs
Bus terminal VIB (Vienna international bus terminal)
U3, underground station Erdberg, Erdbergstraße 200, A-1030 Vienna
Dates
12 July to 19 August 2017
Departs at 6pm
Return after the end of the performance
Price for the return bus trip: € 26 per person incl. VAT (does not include postage costs or opera tickets)
Blaguss shuttle bus from Eisenstadt
Departs
Intersport bus stop, Ruster Straße 146, 7000 Eisenstadt
Dates
12 July to 19 August 2017
Departs at 6.45pm
Return after the end of the performance
Price for a return bus trip: € 13 per person incl. VAT (does not include postage costs or opera tickets)
Bookings (from Vienna & Eisenstadt)
By telephone (+43 2682 65 0 65) or online
Last minute bookings can only be made through Blaguss (subject to availability)
Reservation and information:
Reiseunternehmen Blaguss
Richard-Strauss-Strasse 32
1230 Vienna
T +43 (0)1 610 90-0
Parking
Free parking at the Festival grounds from 5pm.
DISABLED ACCESS & Shuttle service
Disabled access
People with disabilities or seniors can take the free shuttle bus from the main entrance to the Foyer Park. The bus is equipped for disabled visitors and is operated by qualified staff. No booking required. The Festival Arena is fitted with disabled toilets.
Disabled parking
Parking attendants will direct you to the wheelchair parking spaces at the Festival arena. We apologize, but there are only a limited number of disabled parking spaces.
Disabled access
Access to the opera arena and the stand is via a barrier-free ramp (fully accessible for wheelchair users). .
Disabled toilets
The Festival arena is fitted with easy access, disabled toilets.
Reductions for people with disabilities
People with disabilities are eligible for a 10% reduction on tickets from all the categories (except for rows with extra legroom). Wheelchair users and an accompanying guest are eligible for a 50% reduction on wheelchair spaces indicated in the seating plan.
Shuttle service from the car park to the stand
People with disabilities or senior citizens with mobility impairments can take the free shuttle bus from the quarry’s main entrance to the stand. The bus is equipped for disabled visitors and is operated by professional staff.
Bad Weather
Rainproof garments
The performances in St. Margarethen Quarry are staged in the open. In the event of bad weather, performances may continue. We therefore urge our guests to wear warm, rainproof garments and sturdy shoes if the weather forecast is bad.
Cancellation, postponement and interruption
Performances are never cancelled before the starting time and cancellations are at the sole discretion of the Festival management. The Festival management reserves the right to delay the start or interrupt the performance due to weather conditions.
Weather forecast
You can look up the weather forecast at www.zamg.ac.at
Ticket refunds
For further information about the procedure for refunds if the performance is officially cancelled by the Festival management click here.
Visitor Rules
1. Upon accessing the quarry site, the visitor undertakes to adhere to these Visitor Rules.
2. Every visitor must behave in such a manner as not to endanger, inconvenience or disturb any other visitor. Accessing the site carrying along items that may threaten the safety of visitors or staff or that may cause damage to the building, site or equipment is not permitted. Similarly, carrying along weapons of any kind is not permitted.
3. Every visitor must hold a valid admission ticket.
4. Accessing the site is permitted only during the hours of guided tours or performances.
5. Access to offices, backstage buildings, operational facilities or the stage is forbidden for visitors (exception: during guided tours or events and accompanied by authorised staff or with the express approval of the event organiser or the operator).
6. Visitors must behave in such a manner as to ensure protection of the structural parts and furniture of the premises. Any soiling must be avoided. Rocks and fossils must not be removed, respectively taken away.
7. Every visitor will be held liable under civil law for any damage he causes. ARENARIA GmbH and Römersteinbruch Betriebs GmbH assume no liability beyond that set forth in statutory provisions.
8. The visitor consents to photos or recordings being made of him during events by means of any possible technical process, which will be utilised and exploited by ARENARIA GmbH, Römersteinbruch Betriebs GmbH or another company of the Esterhazy Group.
9. Minors under age 14 may access the quarry only under the supervision of an adult companion.
10. Escape routes, emergency exits and transport paths must be kept clear at all times. Escape routes and emergency exits must be used only in the event of danger. ARENARIA GmbH and Römersteinbruch Betriebs GmbH reserve the right to remove at the cost of the causer vehicles, respectively items, that are illegally parked, respectively deposited, in or in front of the quarry.
11. Bringing along bicycles, scooters or skateboards and the like is not permitted. Animals of any king (except for companion dogs) must not be taken along into the quarry.
12. Smoking on the grand stand or using mobile phones during events is prohibited.
13. Photographing or filming for private purposes is permitted, provided that no flashlight is used. The capturing of photographs or films for commercial purposes is prohibited in any case.
14. ARENARIA, PIEDRA ST. MARGARETHEN BURGENLAND, RÖMERSTEINBRUCH ST. MARGARETHEN, and ESTERHAZY are protected trademarks. All rights, particularly image rights, exploitation rights, and the marketing claims with regard to images and reproductions of the quarry, including the stage setting with its equipment and art objects, to the Piedra logo and to the trademarks indicated in this section, shall be due to Esterhazy Group. Any form of utilisation, rendering, publication or other use, including forwarding to third parties for such purposes, requires the prior approval of an authorised office and, moreover, is subject to payment of a license fee.
15. Instructions of staff members responsible for monitoring adherence to the house rules must be heeded without any exception. In case of violation of the house rules or where there are concrete indications of impending violations, Arenaria GmbH and Römersteinbruch Betriebs GmbH reserve the right to request personal data (even through third parties instructed by these) or, as the case may be, issue a house ban and forward the data to the safety authorities. No compensation for purchased admission tickets shall be given in such instances.
Around the quarry
Here in Burgenland’s most traditional wine region, set in the open landscape between the Leithagebirge hills and Lake Neusiedl, the visitor will be enchanted by the natural beauties of the Rust Hills. It is easy to appreciate why the region Fertő–Neusiedler See is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Neusiedl region
“The sunny side of Austria” is how the country’s easternmost province Burgenland is known, a region that radiates Pannonian charm. You will be swept away by the beautiful landscape, fauna and flora, wonderful wines, outstanding cuisine, and much more besides.
This region surrounding Central Europe’s largest steppe lake also boasts impressive palaces and castles. Concerts and exhibitions at Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt or an excursion to Forchtenstein Castle are just some of the many opportunities that Burgenland has to offer.
The events in the Lake Neusiedl region reflect a similar variety: From opera and classical music, to rock festivals and operetta, there is a wide range of cultural highlights.
LINKS:
Be Our Guest at Esterhazy
The perfect night at the opera presents an ideal opportunity to discover some of the region's cultural treasures and sample it's cuisine.
Hotel in the region
Enrich your experience by staying at one of the many hotels or campsites in the region surrounding Lake Neusiedl and Eisenstadt.
PIEDRA
„Piedra“ stands for „stone“. And “stone” is the visitor’s overwhelming impression when descending into the quarry.
Passion Plays
The performances of the Passion plays have been staged in the quarry every five years since 1961 and enjoy great success.
Tours at the quarry
The quarry can be visited through a guided tour. Get to know more about the historical meaning of this impressive place and it's flora and fauna.
ST. MARGARETHEN
A warm welcome to St. Margarethen in Burgenland – where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery, fantastic cultural experiences, and fine wines!