Sopron, Medieval town at Austria-Hungary border
Sopron is a city in western Hungary, positioned just a few kilometers from the Austrian border at the foot of the Alps. Its old center preserves Roman walls and medieval lanes, while newer quarters spread gently into the surrounding hills.
The settlement began as a Roman outpost in the first century and grew into an important trade center between East and West during medieval times. After World War I, residents voted in 1921 to remain with Hungary rather than become part of Austria.
The name comes from a Slavic word for salt pan, a reminder of centuries spent extracting salt in this area. Locals now use the old town's narrow lanes for daily errands while weekend visitors from Vienna and Budapest wander between the old houses.
The old center is best explored on foot since most landmarks lie within a few minutes' walk of each other. Bilingual signs in Hungarian and German help with navigation through the narrow lanes.
Grapevines grow directly inside the old city walls, making this one of the few European towns where grapes ripen within the historic center. These urban vineyards belong to private homes and produce small quantities of wine for personal use.
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