Eisenstadt

Eisenstadt is the capital city of the Austrian state of Burgenland, located in the eastern part of the country near the Hungarian border, on the northern shore of the Neusiedler See. It has about 14,000 inhabitants. The town originated in the medieval period as a fortress and market settlement and gained significance under the patronage of the Esterházy family.

Schloss Esterházy, built in the 18th century, became the family’s primary residence and a major cultural center. The composer Joseph Haydn served as court musician to the Esterházy princes in Eisenstadt from 1766 to 1790 and produced many works there. Today the palace is a museum and a key tourist draw; nearby is the Haydn-Haus, a museum dedicated to the composer. The town also hosts the annual Haydn Festival, drawing visitors from around the world.

Eisenstadt serves as the administrative heart of Burgenland and hosts the regional government and the University of Burgenland, which maintains a campus in the city. The surrounding region is known for wine production, with vineyards and related tourism connected to the Neusiedler See’s wine routes.

Geographically, the area benefits from a continental climate moderated by the lake and the steppe landscape, part of the Neusiedler See / Fertő tó World Heritage Site area. The town is connected by rail and road to Vienna and to the broader Burgenland region.