Crafts of stonemasons and bricklayers in Kaisersteinbruch

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guild chalice archival find, was damaged, was restored, a small miracle!
Schweizerhofbrunnen in the Hofburg in Vienna, 1552
Fountain in the Neugebude Castle , 1570

The honorable craft of the stonemasons and bricklayers in the imperial quarry on Leithaberg has been documented in writing since 1615. The main smelter in Wiener Neustadt was responsible for the craft in Kaisersteinbruch . The great main smelters in Central Europe were Cologne , Strasbourg , Zurich and Vienna .

The local stone was already used for the Roman villa of Königshof-Ödes Kloster . The oldest preserved stone fountain in Vienna , the Schweizerhofbrunnen of the Vienna Hofburg , built in 1552 by Pietro Solari , is made of imperial stone .


Throughout the Middle Ages , masons and masons were two separate crafts. A common approach of the Viennese masons and stonemasons did not take place until the 17th century , when they tried to defend themselves against the Italian masters, mainly from the Como area, who were perceived by the main hut as troublemakers and botchers .

In the Hungarian language , the similarities between the two professions and their previous ties are well expressed:

kömüves = bricklayer, literally translated: stoneworker.
köfarago = stonemason, translated: stone carver.

Emperor Matthias confirmed the craft regulations on March 16, 1617

Wiener Neustadt Cathedral
Seal of the KAYSER QUARRY in the 17th century, from 1617
Main portal of Ebersdorf Castle built in 1618

At the time of the Crafts Code of 1615, which Emperor Matthias confirmed in 1617, the Neustädter Zeche included the town itself, as well as the craftsmen from Kirchschlag , Schottwien , Neunkirchen , Piesting , Leobersdorf , Pottenstein , Ebenfurth , Baden , Gumpoldskirchen , Mödling , Petersdorf , Rodaun , from the imperial quarry on Leithaberg , from German and Hungarian Brodersdorf , Purbach , Milchdorf , Eisenstadt and Ödenburg .

In Baden and in the imperial quarry there were also craft guild shops, so-called quarter shops, for which the same regulations applied as for the people of Neustadt. Some essential articles from it:

Anyone who has managed a building must be liable for the same for a year .
A master should only have ONE apprentice who the bricklayer hires for three years and the stonemason for five years .

Because of this article, the imperial masters spoke up in the “Neustadt”. At a craft meeting on May 25, 1617, they demanded ... because the break is far from a town or town, and an apprentice , because one has to use him every day to get all sorts of victuals , including other things, could not learn or learn anything . Let every master there take up two apprentices ..

They received this special permit, which was also required years later by others.

In addition to this order, there were provisions for palliers and journeymen . Working hours start at daybreak, from Georgi (April 24th) to Michael (September 29th) at 5:00 am; Breakfast at 7 a.m., half an hour, lunch at 11 a.m., one hour, snack at 3 a.m., half an hour, end of work at the end of the day. In winter, work starts at 6 a.m., breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 12 a.m., no snack.

The office of head of the quarter store of master stonemasons and masons, also known as quarter master, was changed annually. Some examples that have survived: Andre Ruffini 1626, Ambrosius Petruzzy 1640, Mathias Lorentisch 1644, Domenicus Petruzzy 1651, Giorgio Regondi 1657 ...

Report for the Lower Austrian lords 1618

In a contract of 1609, the local glory of Kaisersteinbruch was assigned to the Lower Austrian Chamber and the manorial status to the Heiligenkreuz Abbey. The Lower Austrian estates now believed they had to tax the place as an Austrian good due to the local glory of the chamber. The collection of the wine tax , the "Täz", was particularly vigorously demanded. They sent their "servant and rentmaster " Johann Miller to the quarry so that he could find out his legal affiliation.

This report shows the beginnings of this quarter drawer of the stonemasonry.

Report of Johann Miller of February 20, 1618 (excerpt): .. not an Schuch far in Austria, the Hungarian Stuel is the jurisdiction subject . The Heiligenkreuz abbot Christoph Schäffer was also asked: ... the prelates, the prelates, control the six masters, stonemasons and a sculptor, not more than 15 kr per year for the house, because they have no house grounds and all the servants who are in the quarry , lives from working with these six masters . Ulrich Payos , Pietro de Magistris , Leonhardt Holzäpfl , Nicolae di Novo, Andre Ruffini and Antonius Bregno . They are all Swiss , including four Masters of Her Imperial Majesty. In the event Her Majesty need them, you owe them to put all other work aside and to get Her Majesty's things done. How they now lead a main gate on Ebersdorf and how Mr. Vizedom Christoph Strauss has to pay the carters ..

.. it is the masters have a good Trunks diligence to because of the craft servants are many, and as otherwise wöllen the Gesind in this wilderness reserve. A lot of wine is drunk by the carters who take the finished work pieces away, and this is due to the quality of the Hungarian wine , and the large binding is a good seydl larger than the Austrian standard . ..

Emperor Ferdinand II confirmed the craft regulations on August 11, 1625

In 1624 all the masters of bricklaying and stonemason crafts from the Welsh nation from the four quarters of Lower Austria turned to Emperor Ferdinand II with a request for their own rules of trade. They simply wrote the salutation: Kayßer The German craftsmen retained their freedoms, the Italians submitted to the prescribed order.

the journeymen should go out with the masters on Corpus Christi, in processions with the billing flags according to Roman Catholic custom , honor the sacrament of the altar , with other penalty of 10 lb. Wax for the service.

Dispute over the main huts in Vienna and Wiener Neustadt

The quarter drawer in Kaisersteinbruch was drawn into the dispute between the two main huts in Vienna and Wiener Neustadt over areas of power, greater influence and, of course, a lot of money. The Viennese masters asked the “Imperial” masters to refuse to obey the people of Neustadt, not to appear there for the Corpus Christi procession, the letter ended with a clear blackmail:

May 28, 1644 .. we wanted to reply to you for your information, which you will know to obey obediently, so that we are not caused to take other means to hand ..
May 29, 1644 .. the next day the imperial masters asked the people of Neustadt to give the Viennese an answer themselves.

November 4, 1644 List of the Kaisersteinbruch masters who also succumbed to the new imperial freedoms in Vienna, a master 45 kr , a journeyman 15 kr:

Pietro Maino Maderno shoots for him and his 4 journeymen .. 1 fl 45 kr
Peter Concorz 7 journeymen .. 2 fl 30 kr
Hieronymus Bregno 1 journeyman ( Francesco della Torre ) .. 1 fl
Ambrosius Petruzzy 2 journeymen .. 1 fl 15 kr
Antonius Purisol 2 journeymen .. 1 fl 15 kr

March 15, 1651 Letter from the Imperial Masters to the Neustädter Guild: ... the masters have to report that it once again happened to us that the Viennese masters do not want to let our trained apprentices work alongside theirs for good, not even for the craft let go. God commanded .

Stonemasons from the Leithagebirge merged in 1649 in the Kaisersteinbrucher quarter store

The ennobled court sculptor Pietro Maino Maderno and his younger co-master Ambrosius Regondi tried to expand the imperial freedoms under Count Otto Felician von Heissenstein, regent of the Lower Austrian lands. The area of ​​activity of the Kaisersteinbrucher quarter store then included the “ market towns ” of the Scharfenegg, Sommerein , Mannersdorf , Hof and Au domains , as well as Maria Loretto , Winden , Jois and Kaisersteinbruch itself.

This means that every trade in the guild, such as "Aufdingung" (admission of apprentices), "acquittal" (acquitting the journeyman), etc., was held in front of an open drawer in Kaisersteinbruch. This "hands-free book for stonemasons and masons in Kaisersteinbruch" documents the actual importance of this craft.

Emperor Ferdinand III. confirmed on December 13, 1650

Ferdinand III. confirmed the craft regulations of the Steinmetz-Zeche Wiener Neustadt and the incorporated masters of Baden, the imperial quarry at Leithaberg, Himberg , Neunkirchen and Deutsch Brodersdorf .

Order of the palliers and journeymen .. every pallier and journeyman should in the morning from Georgi (April 23rd) to Michaelmas (September 29th) as soon as day breaks, dispose of his work and stay there for the whole night, including yours Do not save diligence, but consider the master’s benefit to the best of your ability ..
Every journeyman should remember the greeting and the secret . His decorations in Care hold, or lubricate a jug of wine or beer on the wall.
Only hit a piece of stone if the master or foreman allows it.
A journeyman should behave well on the hike and not convey the greeting to every master immediately.
He shouldn't do a blue Monday either .
He's not supposed to impregnate or cheat an honest girl .
Quattuor Coronati , guild flag 1650

Five holy patrons

The coat of arms used from time immemorial on their drinking flags, on it the five holy patrons :

Claudius with a yardstick
Nicostratus with the square measure
Symphorianus with the compass
Castorius with the measure of the face
Simplicius with two stone chisels in his right hand and a triangle- bleywag in his left hand.

All five in ancient Roman costume with their faces turned forward and green laurel wreaths on their heads, standing next to each other, in front of which on a green lawn one of the transverse columns made of red marble , behind them on three staggered levels, on which an octagonal simple cross is erected, everything is off carved white stone.

They have been quoted in old stonemason's certificates since ancient times. So in the order of the stonemasons at Strasbourg 1459: In the name of the Father, the Sun and the Holy Spirit and the worthy Mother of Mary and also in the blessed servant, the Holy Four crowned in eternal memory.

Letter from Abbot Michael Schnabel to the Palatine Count Paul Pálffy

The judge in the quarry Ambrosius Regondi had brought the Heiligenkreuz abbot Michael Schnabel to the Palatine Paul Pálffy for deleting the imperial eagle on the church tower .

The abbot justified himself on March 31, 1653: these stonemasons always tasted like Austria and the imperial court chamber , therefore they wrote and wanted to be called while living in the emperor's quarry ... my subjects have set up a craft code without my prior knowledge , they keep peculiar gatherings from, they make processions on ..

After the Turkish War, Emperor Leopold I confirmed the independent quarter drawer on December 3, 1684

It is known to everyone that through the hostile Turkish invasion the country Austria below the Enns been so devastated and depopulated that to the team, particularly the craftsmen .. masons, stonemasons, .. a serious shortage in the city of Vienna and on the Land will appear . Masters and journeymen, they come from wherever they want ... guilds in the country can work unhindered.

This approval and extension was to be seen as a document of the return to normalcy.

Emperor Leopold I confirmed the independent quarter drawer on June 1, 1690

On March 29, 1689, Leopold I approved the craft of master stonemasons and masons in Wiener Neustadt and the incorporated quarter stores their craft regulations.

Just as not a single stonemason, if not incorporated into the brotherhood, should not give any stone made by Schuch to the city or to the Orth, where the ark and books are, until he has compared himself with the said brotherhood and gone shopping.

On June 1, 1690, the Kaisersteinbruch quarter store received a confirmed copy. This copy is his, allhier in the main charging lying original word identical to word collationiert , and was manufactured with the larger Insigl, handed out. Actum main store Neustadt.

The strange path of some imperial documents

In 1990 Ms. Ulrike Lahner handed over sheets marked U1, U2 .. to the Steinmetzmuseum Kaisersteinbruch , A4 copies of handwritten texts, as it turned out from the craft regulations of 1650, 1684, 1690, .., which the pastor of Bruck an der Leitha had given her. What are your Kaisersteinbrucher documents doing in the parish of Bruck an der Leitha? During the Nazi era, northern Burgenland was part of Lower Austria , Kaisersteinbruch was forcibly relocated and Stalag XVII A was built.

Years later, the further path led to Vienna - the parishes had to hand over "unresolved documents" to the Cathedral and Diocesan Archives Vienna due to war events, where they were deposited in the basement. The archivist Johann Weissensteiner was successful and found the originals for the copied sheets. Then these Kaisersteinbruch documents were brought to the Lower Austrian regional archive . Once they could be looked at, there was no question of returning them.

A quarter shop incorporated into Wiener Neustadt in 1700

Neunkirchen, Baden Pottendorf, Bruck an der Leitha, the imperial quarry, Eisenstadt, Himberg, all of which again had masters from the area among them. In 1709 the daily wage for the stonemasons, bricklayers and carpenters was set at 9 groschen for the summer and 8 groschen for the winter .

Emperor Charles VI. confirmed the quarter drawer in 1714

Due to the outbreak of the “Hungarian Rebellion”, with the beginning of the “ Kuruzzenrummel ” in 1703, the masters and journeymen from Kaisersteinbruch, but also from the Lower Austrian towns, were no longer able to take part in the guild meetings in Wiener Neustadt because stripes of the Hungarian insurgents stopped all travel. The Zechmeister could after the death of Emperor Leopold I. their craft orders of Emperor Joseph I (1705-1711) did not confirm and confirm, for the "championship" was distracted, the business interruption and in a distressed state advised.

After the Peace of Szatmár in 1711, the Hungarian War of Independence came to an end, the plague broke out and the connection with Wiener Neustadt was still interrupted "because of the rampant danger of contagion " . The "funds required to contest the old craft regulations and freedom" could not be raised.

For this reason, Charles VI approved . in 1714 with a letter the bricklayers and stonemasons quarter drawer in Kaisersteinbruch, which was subordinate to the main drawer in Wiener Neustadt. The guild order comprises 38 articles, points 1 to 21 relate to the master's order, points 22 to 38 to the order of foremen and journeymen.

If a “ honest ” master wanted to be accepted and accepted by the brotherhood, he had to “diligently and justly” a masterpiece as commanded and imposed on him by masters and the brotherhood . When he had done it and was recognized and considered good by the whole brotherhood, he had to put a maximum of 6 to 10 Rhenish gulden in the ark for the master's meal and to hand out 12 pfennigs every quarter .
One was not allowed to admit into the brotherhood any worker or master who “did not go to the venerable sacrament within a year”, as well as someone “who did not keep the Christian order or gambled away his own with messy games” .
No workman or master was allowed to take money from a journeyman so that he could teach him something "that touched the stone work". Likewise, no foreman or journeyman should instruct another about money, as previously described. But since one wants to instruct the other, they may " do it a little for the other or for the sake of good company" .

All ecclesiastical and secular authorities were admonished to let the stonemasons and masons incorporated in the Wiener Neustädter Zeche "remain calm with their coats of arms and not allow any mistakes, interventions, hindrances or complaints to be done by anyone else" .

Seal of the KAISER QUARRY , 18th century

In 1747, Empress Maria Theresa confirmed the craft regulations

We, Maria Theresa , by the grace of God Roman Empress, etc. .. make known with this letter that the masters incorporated into the Neustadt guild , as for Neustadt, Baden, in our imperial-royal quarry at Leithaberg, Eisenstadt, Bruck an der Leitha , Himberg, Neunkirchen and Deutsch Brodersdorf asked with the utmost subservience . As the now ruling woman and hereditary princess in Austria , we deign to renew and permit the craft regulations and freedom confirmed in 1714 as well.

Article 27

on the holy day of Corpus Christi, all the masters and journeymen incorporated into this brotherhood are to come together with their carpenters , go to the church, honor the most venerable altar - sacrament with their cross flags in the procession honorably and edifyingly.

At the following service the guild chest should be opened and other Zechmeister elected.

The Kaisersteinbrucher stonemasons are building a relief shop to support the widows

On March 2, 1800, master stonemason Augustin Weinkopf was buried, and the parish administrator, Father Bonifaz Greiner, wrote: The local stonemason craft would like to contribute to the help of local stonemasons and journeymen for widows. When a master stonemason or journeyman dies, an auxiliary drawer is set up under local stonemasons to help the widows (- at first only for the widows) and entrusted to the master stonemason Laurenz Pansipp . Everyone - from the Zechmeister to the last journeyman in the trade gives a few cruisers to this auxiliary drawer every year - of which Laurenz Pansipp paid me half the stol fee , the remainder the widow, because 4 guilders is the burial fee for master stonemasons. Another 30 kreuzers to the school teacher, 30 kr to the grave digger, so the Weinkopfin had received 3 bottles from the auxiliary drawer - for the first time, and this will also be observed from now on. At such burials the stonemasons appear in front of the church with their standards and go neatly to the morgue and accompany it with burning wax candles to the tomb.

The quarter drawer was returned to Wiener Neustädter Handwerk on June 7, 1801

The Kaiser Steinbrucher handicraft has belonged to Wiener Neustadt since 1618 , as the center of all guild activities. The quarter drawer ( 4th tl laad ) from Neustadt was returned. Entry in the “hands-free book for stonemasons and masons in stone quarries” dated June 7, 1801

The four market towns - namely Sommerein, Mannersdorf, Hof and Auer, master stonemasons and masons had to be incorporated from here to Bruck according to government orders . Who have been part of the honorable craft here since 1649.

Nothing lasts forever.

Some examples:

June 10, 1792 Maria Loretto

Stefan Binder von Stotzing , whose parents Stefan Binder Sel., Margaretha Binderin still alive, was publicly acquitted as a journeyman stonemason and did his 5 years of apprenticeship with master craftsman Georg Höller, master stonemason in Loretto, from an honorable craft of stonemasons and masons here in Kaisersteinbruch , the main bailiff Friedrich Franz, the minor bailiff Johann Koch, both stonemasons in Loretto, imposes his fee in the ark with 1 fl .

June 7, 1795 summer un

Mathias Hillebrandt, whose father Johannes Hillebrandt, fisherman in Sommerein, wife Anna Maria, who trained for 3 years with his master Lorenz Stadler, master mason in Sommerein, was completely acquitted by a craft of stonemasons and bricklayers here in Kaisersteinbruch. The main bailiff was Georg Schlegl, the secondary bailiff Leopold Stadler, both journeyman masons in Sommerein, pays his fee in the ark with 1 gul

7 June 1795 Mannersdorf

Joseph Lichtenecker, who completed his 5 year apprenticeship with his father Thomas Lichtenecker, master stonemason in Mannersdorf, was publicly acquitted of an honorable craft of stonemasons and masons in Kaisersteinbruch. has completely turned off. The main surety was Mathias Schuß, master stonemason in Mannersdorf, the minor mayor Lorenz Stadler, master bricklayer in Sommerein, imposes his fee in the ark with 1 fl.

June 10, 1798 Kaisersteinbruch

In front of a whole honorable craft of stonemasons and masons here in Kaisersteinbruch, Master Michael Gehmacher acquitted his young named Michael Schreyer in front of an open drawer to a stonemason, whose parents are Adam Schreyer, thirtieth supervisor and wife Elisabeth, the main guarantor was Martin Madle, master stonemason here, Secondary bailiff Jakob Hasenöhrl, journeyman stonemason here, puts his fee in the ark with 1 fl.

An independent craft, subordinate to the Heiligenkreuz Abbey, emerged

Seal of the honorable stonemasons and masons in the HEILIGENKREUZER QUARRY 1801
Seal of the honorable stonemasons and masons in the HEILIGENKREUZER QUARRY 1801 with the Quattuor Coronati

The quarter store ( 4th tl laad ) from Neustadt was returned and "from today on, our independent craft store was held for the first time under our gracious rule under the protection of the royal court " ,

Master stonemason Karl Gehmacher

In 1801 the term " Kaisersteinbruch " ended, until 1804 " Heiligenkreuzer Steinbruch " can be read, from then on " Steinbruch ".

Example:

June 3, 1804 Heiligenkreuz quarry

Mr. Zechmeister Michael Gehmacher, master stonemason here, publicly acquitted his son Michael to be a stonemason journeyman, who has completed 5 years of apprenticeship, whose guarantors Karl Gehmacher, stonemason master all here and Martin Madle (junior) have released their surety and put his fee in the drawer 1 fl.

The Kaisersteinbruch handicraft was dissolved in 1905

On June 16, 1905, the guild of the stonemasonry in Kaisersteinbruch dissolved. The guild had a fund of 244 kroner and 82 hellers for religious , “ luxury ” and also for the purpose when a stonemason who is registered in this protocol receives 20 kroner for the 50th anniversary of his acquittal.

Web links

Helmuth Furch :

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ kaiserstein photos on Flickr | Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/kaiserstein
  2. ^ Johanna M. Nemeth: Development of the guild of master builders and masons in Vienna 1683-1800 . Dissertation UNI Vienna 1982.
  3. ^ Museum Mosonmagyaróvár : Seal of the Kaisersteinbruch stonemasonry
  4. ↑ City Archives Wiener Neustadt : The bourgeois stonemasons and masons in the Neustadt Zechbuch, starting in 1617
  5. ^ Josef Mayer: History of Wiener Neustadt , 4 volumes, 1924-1928.
  6. ↑ Announcements from the Kaisersteinbruch Museum and Culture Association: Helmuth Furch: To the masters of an honorable craft of stonemasons and bricklayers in the kaisl. Quarry at Leithaberg, Part 1, No. 29, October 1993, S18-25. ISBN 978-3-9504555-3-3 .
  7. ↑ City Archives Wiener Neustadt: Description of the honorable masters of the two praiseworthy crafts of the stonemason and mason names, which are in the Roman. Kaysl. Majesty have incorporated the liberated craft regulations and local Neustätterischen Zech. Starting in 1617
  8. ^ Josef Mayer: History of Wiener Neustadt , 3rd vol. P. 414.
  9. ↑ Harald Prickler : Bgl. Hbl. 1961
  10. ↑ Helmuth Furch : 400 years of the Kaisersteinbruch 1590-1990, Festschrift, report by Johann Miller 1618 , Kaisersteinbruch 1990, p 22f ISBN 978-3-9504555-1-9
  11. ^ Lower Austrian Provincial Archives : Ständische Akten B 9/24
  12. ^ Helmuth Furch: Historisches Lexikon Kaisersteinbruch, Kaiser Ferdinand II. , Volume 2, S 270f, Kaisersteinbruch 2004. ISBN 978-3-9504555-8-8 .
  13. ↑ Announcements from the Kaisersteinbruch Museum and Culture Association : Helmuth Furch: To the masters of an honorable craft of stonemasons and bricklayers in the kaisl. Quarry on Leithaberg, part 2, no. 30, January 1994, pp. 21-29.
  14. ^ City Archives Wiener Neustadt: Steinmetzakten H 111
  15. ^ Vienna City and State Archives : Steinmetzakten A 61/22
  16. ↑ City Archives Wiener Neustadt: Steinmetzakten CVIN 10/14
  17. ^ Stadtarchiv Wiener Neustadt, H 109/1, letter from the local judge Andre Ruffini on May 11, 1644 to the Neustadt masters
  18. ↑ National Archives Burgenland : guild files, "hands-free carrying of masons and Maurer in quarry" A / VI-1l, Fasc. 1/2. Inscribed on the cover with “from 1764”, actually from 1791
  19. ^ Extracts from a document from the Mosonmagyaróvár archive
  20. ↑ Codex Austriacus “12. February 1684, Leopoldus "
  21. ↑ This fact can be confirmed by Ms. Ulrike Lahner, Kaisersteinbruch, the director of the Museum Helmuth Furch and the then mayor of Bruck an der Leitha, Mr. Berger.
  22. ↑ Hans Kietaibl : The brotherhood of bricklayers and stonemasons in Kaisersteinbruch , In: Helmuth Furch: Elias Huegel, Hofsteinmetzmeister , S 18-22, Kaisersteinbruch 1992 ISBN 978-3-9504555-2-6
  23. ^ Archive Mosonmagyaróvár : Document of the handicraft order 1747 by Maria Theresa
  24. ^ Notices from the Kaisersteinbruch Museum and Culture Association: Helmuth Furch, Handwerksordnung 1764 , No. 9, June 1991, p. 8f.
  25. ↑ City archive Bruck an der Leitha, protocol and master book of an honorable craft of the stonemasons and bricklayers quarter store Bruck an der Leitha - anno 1749
  26. ↑ National Archives Burgenland : guild files, "hands-free carrying of masons and Maurer in quarry" A / VI-1l, Fasc. 1/2. Inscribed on the cover with “from 1764”, actually from 1791

Coordinates: 47 ° 59 ′ 17.6 ″  N , 16 ° 42 ′ 6.5 ″  E