Eisenstadt, Administrative capital in Burgenland, Austria.
Eisenstadt is a small town at the southern edge of the Leitha Mountains in Burgenland, situated about 182 meters above sea level. Vineyards spread across the hills to the west and south of the town, while the historic center is arranged around the baroque palace of the Esterházy family.
The settlement was first documented in 1264 and belonged to Hungary for centuries until it became part of Austria in 1921, when it was made capital of the newly formed state of Burgenland. The Esterházy family made the town their residence from the 17th century onwards, shaping its appearance.
The name derives from a Slavic word for iron, which was once mined in the area. Local wine taverns serve wines from the surrounding vineyards, which you can taste along the cobbled lanes around the palace.
The center can be explored on foot, as most sights are close to each other. A walk through the old town takes you past cafés and small shops that are mainly open during the day.
The Bergkirche houses the marble monument for Joseph Haydn, but his skull was only returned in 1954 after being stolen following his death in 1809. A replica replaced the original in the tomb for over a century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
