Eisenstadt in Summer
Summer holidays between culture, wine, and Joseph Haydn
Introduction
Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, lies around 55 kilometres from Vienna. Its old town is largely pedestrianised, lined with cafés, wine taverns and boutiques.
The centrepiece and main attraction is Schloss Esterházy at the heart of the town. Joseph Haydn served the Esterházy princes here as court composer for almost 30 years. The town's nickname, "Haydnstadt" – Haydn's town – points to this musical legacy, which the HERBSTGOLD festival continues today. Eisenstadt brings together palace architecture, musical heritage and the vineyards of Burgenland.
Meet Eisenstadt
Top highlights
Tours
Excursions around Eisenstadt
Top events
Famous personalities
Eating and drinking in Eisenstadt
Recipes
Unique places to stay
Heritage protection in Eisenstadt
Heritage protection helps preserve individual buildings and the historic fabric of a town for the future. Eisenstadt's historic centre survives largely intact as a coherent ensemble, and has been protected as a conservation area since 1991 (link in German). The designation covers numerous buildings and sites from different periods of the town's history: churches, townhouses and public buildings shape the streetscape alongside squares and historic streets.
Among the best-known listed buildings are the Bergkirche Heimsuchung Mariä with its Calvary and the Landhaus, seat of the Burgenland provincial government. Schloss Esterházy and other historic buildings point to Eisenstadt's political and cultural importance.