Solnhofen Limestone

Solnhofen Limestone was used initially within the region for simple construction purposes and then above all for roofing plates. Traditional houses, called Jurahaus, in the area of Solnhofen and Eichstätt have a gently inclined roof composed of platy Solnhofen Limestone. There are also known many historical gravestones made of it.
Solnhofen limestone is most important as a building stone for floor slabs. It has been used to cover the floors of countless castles, churches and other prestigious buildings in Bavaria as well as along the Danube as far as Austria and Hungary since the 16th century.
The most famous worldwide use, however, was the use of blue Solnhofen stones as lithographic stones. Those came / come from the quarries around the village of Mörnsheim.