Page 160 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

158  A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION

f Eisenstadt for Sabbath, and the chains that
were once used for that purpose
This small town lies on the southern slopes of the Leitha hills, are preserved to this day. The two
50 km (31 miles) south of Vienna. It became the capital of Jewish cemeteries in Eisenstadt
Burgenland province in 1925, when international border are among the best-preserved
adjustments put the larger and more notable Ödenburg – in Austria. The adjacent house,
today the town of Sopron – in Hungary. From this date which once belonged to Samson
Wertheimer, now houses the
Eisenstadt underwent a remarkable growth, and today Jewish Museum.
it is an important transport hub and wine-making centre.
The town is mainly associated with the Hungarian Esterházy E Landesmuseum
family and their famous choirmaster, Joseph Haydn. Another Burgenland
great musician, Franz Liszt, was born on the Esterházys’ Museumgasse 1–5. Tel (02682) 719-
4000. Open Timings vary, check
estate, in the village of Raiding (see p154). website for opening times.
∑ landesmuseum-burgenland.at
stone. The north tower of the This museum houses a large
church contains the most-visited collection of objects associated
attraction of the church: the tomb with the history and art of the
of Joseph Haydn. In 1932, on the Burgenland province. Its geol-
200th anniversary of the com- ogical collection comprises
poser’s death, a small mausoleum minerals and exhibits on the
was built here by the Esterházys local Ice Age fauna. Archaeo l-
for the marble sarcophagus ogical findings include the
containing Haydn’s remains. Drassburg Venus, items from
burial mounds in Siegendorf
P Jüdischer Friedhof and objects which represent
Unterbergstrasse. Jewish Museum: the Hallstatt and Roman cultures.
Unterbergstrasse 6. Tel (02682) 65145.
From medieval times Open May–Oct: 10am–5pm Tue–Sun; + Schloss Esterházy
a Jewish settlement Nov–May: 9am–4pm Mon–Thu, Esterházyplatz. Tel (02682) 63 004-
existed in Eisenstadt, 9am–1pm Fri; groups only. 7600. Open May–Sep: 10am–6pm
confined to the Unter- Ornamental grille on Joseph Haydn’s tomb Closed 24 Dec–6 Jan. daily; Apr & Oct: 10am–5pm daily;
berg district, but play- in the Bergkirche From medieval times until 1938, Nov–Mar: 10am–5pm Fri–Sun & hols.
ing an important role in a Jewish settlement existed in 8 & ∑ esterhazy.at
the city’s development, Exploring Eisenstadt Eisenstadt. Confined to the The Esterházy Castle was built
until 1938. Above all, Eisenstadt is the town district of Unterberg, it played around 1390, on the site of
of Haydn, and the main tourist an important role in the city’s earlier fortifications, remains
trails retrace his footsteps. Most development. Inhabitants of the of which were discovered in
of the town’s historic sights are district included the Chief Rabbi the course of excavations. In
clustered around the inner town of the Hungarian Jewry, banker 1663–72, Carlo Martino Carlone
centre, south of Schlosspark. Samson Wertheimer, and transformed the castle into a
Only the Bergkirche, with its Sandor Wolf, a famous art magnificent Baroque palace.
calvary, and the Jewish quarter collector. Eisenstadt was one The main attraction inside is
of Unterberg are situated of a handful of towns where the Haydnsaal, a concert hall
further to the west. old traditions were still observed, beautifully decorated with
such as the closing of the district frescoes and boasting truly
R Bergkirche
Joseph-Haydn-Platz 1.
Haydnmausoleum: Open Apr–Oct:
9am–5pm daily. &
In 1715, Prince Paul Esterházy
ordered a hill to be created to
the west of the castle and of
Eisenstadt’s centre. He then had
a church built on top of that hill,
dedicated to the Visitation of
the Virgin Mary, with a Way of
the Cross made up of 24 stations.
The Passion figures are life-size
and each tableau stands in a
specially laid out room. The
rather theatrical, Baroque-style
figures are carved from wood or Tombstones in one of the Jewish cemeteries in Unterberg
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p295 and pp316–18

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