Eisenstadt Visitor Information

Despite being Austria’s smallest provincial capital, this former seat of the noble Esterhazy family and home to some 13,000 inhabitants, has plenty to offer its visitors.

Located in Austria's Burgenland province, it is the most eastern region of Austria. Eisenstadt’s major attraction is Schloss Esterházy (1364). Count Esterhazy restored it initially in Baroque and later in classical style (1663-1672). Today the palace serves as venue for a range of cultural events including the orchestral concerts and operas of the famous Haydn festival.

Joseph Haydn, a leading composer of the classical period, left a lasting impression on Eisenstadt where he lived and worked as Prince Esterhazy’s Kapellmeister (music director) for over 40 years. Today Haydn’s white marble tomb can be seen in the Bergkirche (Haydnkirche). Other sights include the Haydn mausoleum and the Haydn House. A Haydn Festival is staged every year from early to mid September.

Landmarks include the Calvary Mountain, Martinsdom (St. Martin’s Cathedral) dating from the 13th century, and the Gloriette with its formerly baroque gardens that were redesigned as English landscape gardens around 1800.

The historic old town has many protected buildings, and a pedestrian-only area with shops, cafés and restaurants. The districts of St. Georgen and Kleinhöflein are famous for their quaint Heurigen wine taverns ideal to pass away those warm summer nights...

Don't miss the surrounding area of Eisenstadt, where a lush wine growing region offers amazing culinary delights.

Accommodation in Eisenstadt’s university residences

The city is home to universities and colleges and many of the independently-owned student residences offer affordable visitor accommodation in the summer months. It should be understood that these residences are designed primarily for students and not children or adults expecting a high level of luxury. However, with this in mind, the halls do meet a level of comfort that we expect most visitors to be happy with, and we will welcome any feedback where this is not the case.

Eisenstadt History

Archaeological finds proove that the Eisenstadt area was already settled in the Hallstead period the Celts and Romans settled somewhat later. During the Migration Period, the area was settled by different Germanic tribes and Huns.

The fortress built on the original earth works was destroyed by the troops of Leopold III, Margrave of Austria and in 1241, it was rebuilt and destroyed again by the Mongols.
In 1648, it passed under the rule of the Esterhazy family, these Hungarian princes permanently changed the face of the city due to their extensive construction especially on their castle,”Schloss Esterhazy”. The appointment of Joseph Haydn as the prince's court orchestra director, composing and performing music, began the great artistic period in the city's history. In 1809, Eisenstadt was occupied by French troops during the Napoleonic Wars in 1897; it was joined to the railway network.

Until the end of World War I, it was the seat of Kismarton without plebiscite, the city and the entire Hungarian territory of Burgenland was transferred to Austria by the Saint Germaine and Treaties of Trianon in 1921. Since 30 April 1925, Eisenstadt is seat of the Burgenland state government and thus the state capital. During World War II, Eisenstadt was heavily bombarded and in 1945, it was occupied by the Red Army, and the city remained until 1955 under Soviet occupation. In 1960, Eisenstadt became the sea of its own Roman Catholic diocese.