Discover Eisenstadt

Eisenstadt combines musical history, Baroque architecture, and paths through green spaces. Joseph Haydn is particularly closely associated with the city: Bergkirche and the Haydn House reveal different aspects of his work, while Esterházy Palace and its park offer further sites of cultural and historical interest.

Cultural history between Bergkirche and Jewish heritage

Bergkirche, the pilgrimage church of Maria Heimsuchung, was built between 1715 and 1803 based on plans by Prince Paul I Esterházy. The church houses the Haydn organ, dating from 1797. Several Mass compositions were premiered there under the direction of Joseph Haydn. The Haydn Mausoleum lies beneath the north tower; Haydn was reburied there in 1954.

The Haydn House in Eisenstadt is the composer’s former home. Joseph Haydn acquired the Baroque house in 1766 and lived there for twelve years. The rooms are furnished with original furniture from Haydn’s time; historic wall paintings have been carefully uncovered. At Esterházy Palace, the Haydn Hall is the main concert hall. Concerts are held there throughout the year. If you plan to attend a concert, check the dates in advance.

Jewish heritage also has tangible sites in Eisenstadt. The Austrian Jewish Museum is located in the former home of Samson Wertheimer. One of the house’s distinctive features is its former private synagogue, which was not destroyed during the Nazi era. Remains of the former Jewish Quarter can be found around Museumstraße and Unterbergstraße, near Esterházy Palace. The two Jewish cemeteries can be visited by prior arrangement through the Jewish Museum.

Esterházy Palace and the landscaped park

Esterházy Palace is an Austrian Baroque palace. It has been owned by the Esterházy family since the mid-17th century and has served as the region’s cultural and social center ever since. The Gloriette is also part of the palace’s history: this garden pavilion was built from 1804 for Prince Nicholas II Esterházy, based on plans by French architect Charles de Moreau.

Eisenstadt Palace Park covers just under 50 hectares. This 19th-century landscaped garden is suitable for walks throughout the year. The ensemble of Leopoldine Temple and Leopoldine Pond was completed in the park in 1824. From Esterházy Palace, a somewhat steep path leads to the Gloriette in about 20 minutes. From there, the view stretches across the Wulka Plain to Lake Neusiedl. A walk in the park and the path to the Gloriette offer two different ways to experience the landscape.

Walking and cycling

The forest nature trail begins at the Eisenstadt Gloriette. It has 13 interactive stations, and the full route takes about 1.5 hours. When planning your time, you can use this approximate duration as a guide for the walk.

The Leitha Cycle Route B11 runs from Eisenstadt to Loretto and passes through several towns along the way. It is paved almost throughout; between Neufeld/Leitha and Zillingdorf-Bergwerk, there is a 500-meter gravel section. Check the surface conditions before setting out. This helps you distinguish the cycling route from the walking time needed for the forest nature trail when planning your trip.

Getting there and finding your way around

Train connections from Vienna to Eisenstadt run either via Wulkaprodersdorf or via Bruck an der Leitha and Neusiedl am See. As routes and timetables may change, check your connection with ÖBB before traveling. Eisenstadt’s central bus parking area is right next to the cathedral. From there, it is just a short walk to the pedestrian zone, Esterházy Palace, and the Kultur Kongress Zentrum Eisenstadt.

For a culinary stop, Eisenstadt’s weekly market offers regional fruit and vegetables as well as meat, ham, and fish specialties. There are also Burgenland-style strudel variations, pastries, and cakes; the vendors’ selection varies depending on the market day. A market visit and the city’s historic sites thus add different facets of the city to your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Purbach am Neusiedler See, Neufeld an der Leitha, Wulkaprodersdorf, Sankt Margarethen in Burgenland, Loretto, Zagersdorf, Mörbisch am See, Hornstein.

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