Rust

Rust is a small wine town on the shore of Lake Neusiedl with narrow lanes lined by Renaissance and Baroque buildings that showcase period architecture. Storks nest on rooftops during spring and summer, adding a distinctive feature to the skyline.

The town received the status of a Free City from Emperor Leopold I in 1681, a recognition of its prominence in wine production at that time. This imperial privilege marked a turning point that shaped its prosperity and standing.

Wine production is deeply rooted in family life here, with many houses featuring underground cellars that visitors can explore and experience firsthand. These cellars are woven into daily routines and demonstrate how central wine is to the community's identity.

The town is small and walkable, with most sites easily reached on foot without requiring much navigation. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for exploring on foot and visiting the wine cellars at a comfortable pace.

The shallow lake waters create natural fog patterns that help grapes develop into sweet dessert wines, a condition that has shaped wine quality here for centuries. This microclimate is what makes the wines from this region distinct from other Austrian wine areas.

Location: Burgenland

Elevation above the sea: 123 m

Reference: E

Shares border with: Oggau am Neusiedler See, Neusiedl am See District, Eisenstadt-Umgebung District, Mörbisch am See

Email: tourismus@freistadt-rust.at

Website: https://freistadt-rust.at

GPS coordinates: 47.80083,16.67583

Latest update: December 20, 2025 02:14