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The history of us and our industry

The word Kő evokes the strength and mystique of the castles throughout Central Europe that still loom after many ages and countless invasions. Towering over terrain vast and diverse, these castles are a symbol of the human ability to interact with their surroundings in a profound way. Natural stone-throughout history-has played an integral role in that ability. Since the beginning of civilization, natural stone has been the paramount building medium for structures of religious, social, and personal significance. Neolithic houses at Skara Brae with stone intricately placed, the Parthenon of Athens composed of limestone and marble pristinely cut and set, and the Colosseum of Rome-a juggernaut of architecture, each an example of the prominence of natural stone in premium buildings of antiquity.

Two types of buildings define the enduring edifices of the middle ages; castles and cathedrals. Durham Cathedral, exhibiting innovative stone use in ribbed vaults and pointed arches, Notre Dame, flying buttresses supporting elegant walls of Parisian limestone, or Bran Castle, a bulwark against aggression and a favored retreat of Hapsburg Royalty, all share the common heritage of natural stone use for eminent buildings of the medieval period.

The renaissance follows a similar pattern of stone use. While fabricated material like brick is used in many of the common buildings, natural stone is still the material of choice for prestige buildings. Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence; polychrome marble of white, green, and red from Carrara, Prato, and Sienna, and the Château de Chambord with alabaster siliceous limestone and slate laid with sophistication represent the pinnacle of renaissance construction and highlight the innate virtues of natural stone.

From the Renaissance to the Modern Age, natural stone has continued to be the building material of choice for strength, elegance, and permanence in prominent projects. Capitol buildings, cathedrals, estates, and many other centers of social significance still follow the tradition of natural stone use. Kő seeks to be the cornerstone for supplying exceptional natural stone for the distinguished projects of tomorrow.