State of Burgenland

Introduction

Burgenland, Austria's easternmost and youngest federal state, is a region characterized by its unique geography, rich wine culture, and diverse landscapes. With a population of approximately 286,215 inhabitants, the state is centered around its capital city, Eisenstadt.

Geography and Landscape

Covering 3,962 square kilometers, Burgenland features three distinct zones divided by Alpine foothills. The northern part is predominantly flat, while central and southern areas are largely hilly. The region's highest point is the Geschriebenstein at 884 meters above sea level, while its lowest point at 114 meters is found in Apetlon.

Natural Features

The Neusiedler See, Europe's second-largest steppe lake, is shared between Burgenland and Hungary. This shallow lake is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular destination for tourists, attracting ornithologists, sailors, and water sports enthusiasts.

Wine Heritage

Burgenland is renowned for its wine production, with approximately 13,300 hectares of vineyards. The region produces both red and white wines equally, with notable varieties including:

• Welschriesling: A balanced white wine
• Blaufränkisch: A full-bodied red wine
• Zweigelt: Austria's most cultivated red wine

Cultural Identity

While predominantly German-speaking, Burgenland is home to Croatian and Hungarian-speaking minorities. The region joined Austria in 1921 and has maintained its distinct cultural identity, shaped by its position at the crossroads of different cultures.

Tourism

The region has rapidly developed its tourism sector, particularly around the Neusiedler See area. The landscape features carefully-cultivated small farms, preserved villages, and market towns, avoiding the overdevelopment seen in other parts of Austria.

Attractions

Eisenstadt ※

Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, is a picturesque city nestled at the foot of the Leithagebirge mountains, just 60 kilometres from Vienna. This charming destination is renowned for its magnificent Baroque centrepiece, the Esterházy Palace, which houses the acoustically superb Haydn Hall where the celebrated composer Joseph Haydn worked for Prince Esterházy for nearly three decades. Beyond its musical heritage, the compact city centre features cobbled streets lined with delightful cafes and traditional wine taverns, where visitors can sample excellent local wines from the Burgenland region. Nature enthusiasts can explore the scenic Schlosspark with its ornate Orangery, hidden ponds and peaceful meadows, whilst the nearby Lake Neusiedl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers splendid opportunities for water sports and birdwatching. The city's culinary scene brilliantly showcases Austrian gastronomy through regional specialities such as Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz and Burgenland-style fish.

Lake Neusiedl ※

Straddling the Austrian-Hungarian border, Lake Neusiedl (Fertő) is Central Europe's largest endorheic lake and the westernmost steppe lake in Eurasia, with three-quarters of its 315 km² area lying in Austria. This shallow lake, nowhere deeper than 2 metres, is surrounded by one of Europe's largest continuous reed beds and has been a cultural crossroads for eight millennia. Visitors can enjoy cycling around the lake's perimeter, birdwatching in the rich wetlands, sailing, or exploring the charming wine-producing villages like Rust and Mörbisch that form an inner ring of sixteen settlements around the shoreline. The area boasts remarkable rural architecture and grand 18th and 19th-century palaces, including the magnificent Esterházy Palace. The region is particularly noted for its viticulture and stock-raising traditions, which have shaped the landscape in a way unparalleled in other European lake areas. For a unique experience, tourists can take a cyclists' ferry through the dense reed belt between Mörbisch and Illmitz, or sample local wines in traditional wine cellars in towns like Breitenbronn and Purbach.