The Roman Cement and Its Usage in Hungary

The aim of this industrial history research is to investigate the characteristics and history of hydraulic Roman cement, a British invention, from its origins to the present, with a particular focus on Hungary. The production method of Roman cement is also described here. Owing to its rapid setting time, Roman cement was especially suitable for stucco applications and was not limited to use as structural mortar. This material first arrived in Hungary during the middle of the 19th century, making its debut in the construction of the first suspension bridge on the Hungarian section of the Danube. Although it did not spread immediately in this country, the Austro-Hungarian Empire became the continent’s largest producer of this material two decades later. The study provides an overview of the former Roman cement factories in Hungary, several of which produced products that attained international recognition for their quality. This material played a significant role in the Historicist and Secessionist (Art Nouveau) facades of Budapest and other Hungarian cities. Although the production technology was later forgotten, it has been rediscovered and is now manufactured globally to its original standards. The general criteria of Roman cement discussed in this paper are based on relatively recent studies from the European Union and Hungary. The history of the usage of this material in Hungary during the 19th and early 20th centuries is primarily drawn from Hungarian architectural journals and newspapers of that period. The history of Roman cement in Hungary has not been sufficiently researched and published, hitherto.