Dive deep into the prehistoric Pannonian Sea
Fertőrákos is a village in the county of Győr-Moson-Sopron in Hungary near the Austrian border. Never heard of it? We don’t blame you, as it is otherwise quite a boring place. Except for one thing. In Roman times, limestone was quarried there, leaving vast cuts and caves in the mountainside. In the 70’s, one of those caves was turned into a theatre and that is where the story of the Cave Theatre begins.
The Fertőrákos quarry began receiving praise for its acoustic characteristics from numerous composers and musicians. The first performance at the theatre hall with excellent acoustics took place on June 27, 1970. After a long history of exciting plays and enchanted spectators, the theatre fell into decay and had to be closed in 2011 for safety reasons. It wasn’t until 2015 that the theatre underwent extensive renovation and was successfully developed into a modern visitors’ centre and a theatre meeting all requirements. The theatre hall has an arena seating welcoming 760 spectators at the same time, heated seats, an extended stage area equipped with modern theatre light and sound technology.
Dive deep into the Pannonian Sea
The story of Fertőrákos doesn’t just begin in Roman times. About 10 million years ago, the Pannonian Basin, where the village is located was once the Pannonian Sea. The Cave Theatre houses a permanent exhibition, where you can dive into the Miocene epoch and see what swam in the prehistoric sea. Above your head, you will see reconstructions of prehistoric whales and dolphins, even a life-size replica of the notorious Megalodon shark. Dioramas, installations and short animations make visitors’ experiences truly authentic.
WHERE TO STAY?
Why not add some relaxation and pampering to your trip. If you’re planning to stay in the interesting region of Western Hungary for longer, we recommend staying in Mjus World Resort & Thermal Park, located in the region of the Raba river, at the junction of three countries, only a few tens of kilometers from Austria and Slovenia.
