The Most Beautiful Sights in Burgenland
Introduction
Austria's easternmost province lies in the Pannonian climate zone: with around 300 days of sunshine a year, it's warmer here than in the rest of the country, and steppe, salt pans and vineyards are typical of the landscape. The Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park forms the heart of the cross-border cultural landscape that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Around the shallow steppe lake, wine villages such as Rust, Mörbisch am See and Gols shape the scene, along with cellar lanes in Purbach, Donnerskirchen and Breitenbrunn.
The provincial capital Eisenstadt is home to the baroque Esterházy Palace with its extensive grounds. The Haydn Hall – named after composer Joseph Haydn, who worked here for many years as court conductor – hosts the annual Herbstgold festival. At the foot of the Rosalia Mountains stands Forchtenstein Castle, owned by the Esterházy family since 1626. Its courtyard features the largest secco murals north of the Alps: portraits of the Habsburg emperors, once intended to underline the princely family's standing and legitimacy.
Where architecture meets music and wine
Burgenland's medieval castles and baroque palaces are still places of encounter today – for music, art, wine and song. In Eisenstadt, Esterházy Palace, the Haydn House and the Haydn Church all recall Joseph Haydn, master of the Viennese Classical style, who is buried in the church. In Raiding, the Liszt Centre keeps the memory of Franz Liszt alive: his birthplace stands right next to the modern concert hall. Some palaces are wine estates too, such as Halbturn Palace, where winemakers combine a contemporary aesthetic with a strong sense of tradition.
Castles, palaces and modern galleries
UNESCO World Heritage, a lighthouse and vineyard views
The Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park is the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: 300 square kilometres of steppe with reed belts, salt pans and open pastures, where Hungarian Grey cattle and white donkeys graze and the European ground squirrel finds plenty of meadowland. Wooden towers make it possible to observe up to 340 bird species. The red-and-white lighthouse at Podersdorf originally served as a navigation aid and storm warning; today it's a popular spot to visit and photograph. From the Weinblick viewing platform on the southern slope of the Eisenberg, the view stretches across the 'Weinidylle' nature park and over the border into Hungary.
Steppe lake, vineyard views, nature park
Days out with children
In Burgenland, vineyards, lake, reed belt and rolling hills all lie close together – and in between there's plenty for families: old castles, leisure parks, a high ropes course and a race track at the Speedarena, where adults and children can take a few laps. At the Pamhagen Steppe Animal Park, around 50 species live across 13 hectares, some of them roaming freely: Hungarian Grey cattle, Przewalski's horses, wild boar, wolves, bears and birds can all be spotted along the circular paths. Together, these days out show just how varied a family day in Burgenland can be.
Family park, high ropes course and rail bike tour
FAQs
Electric hybrid horse-drawn carriage
The first electric hybrid horse-drawn carriage is a classic carriage with electric motor support. A sensor continuously measures how hard the horses are pulling and automatically switches on the electric motor when the effort increases, giving the animals a helping hand on inclines. The enclosed, weatherproof carriage seats up to 14 people, runs all year round and is wheelchair accessible. From June to September it operates scheduled trips through Güssing.