The red marble mine of Tardos

Besides its color due to iron oxide mineral hematite another signature feature that this rock bears is the common occurrence of fossils, especially Ammonites. Wherever in Hungary you can see Ammonites in red tiles or covers it is surely to have come from the mine of Bánya-hegy near Tardos, e.g. foundation covers for Bakócz Chapel in Esztergom (1511), St. Stephen Cathedral in Budapest (1905), or the floor tiles of the railway station in Debrecen (1961). This red rock was formed in the Jurassic period and the earliest mention of mining was in 1204. As documents claim, 42 shipments were taken to Buda during the reign of King Matthias (1487–1489).

During the Turkish rule the area lost its population and mining was suspended. After the recapture of Buda the stone mine was reopened by the Archbishop of Esztergom inviting Slovakian and German settlers. It was the boom of constructions in the 19th century that resulted in a considerable incline of mining further enhanced by owners of the mine inviting Italian professionals to the country. Extracted rock was transported by boat to Budapest or by horse cart to Süttő and Piszke for cutting.

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