The invention relates to a refractory, ceramically fired, carbon-bonded magnesia brick whose matrix is more than 70% by weight, in particular from 80 to 98% by weight, of MgO grains and also a carbon framework binder matrix resulting from carbonization, and pores, wherein the MgO grains are fixed by means of carbon bonding of the carbon framework and at least 30%, in particular from 50 to 100%, of the MgO grains have at least one sintering bridge resulting from the ceramic firing.