Eisenstadt and wine tasting at Rust am Neusiedler See
3 May 2026
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After a one hour train trip I arrive at 10:30 at Eisenstadt and walk from the train station in direction of the historical center, passing the Medieval city walls.
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Remains of the city walls from the 14th century.
I walk the main street up and down (or rather down and up), marvel at the paintings of the townhall-facade and continue to Esterházy palace.
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Main square at Eisenstadt and plague column.
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Facade of the townhall with depictions of the three theological virtues Faith, Hope and Charity (left) and the four cardinal virtues Justice, Wisdom, Fortitude and Temperance (middle). Together they form seven main virtues, as opposed to the seven mortal sins. To the right there are biblical scenes.
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Facade of Esterházy palace. The little guardian posts next to the central entrance are delightful.
I buy a ticket and visit the palace. There's much to see. Besides some exhibitions, including one about Haydn who worked as chapel master for the princely family, the princely apartments are one of the highlights.
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Inner courtyard of Esterházy palace.
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Carriage on display in the Haydn-exhibition, around 1790.
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Portrait of an aristocrat dressed as pilgrim in the Haydn-exhibition. Bucolic plays were popular in the late 18th century and nobility liked to act themselves in the plays performed at court.
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Haydn hall features impressive ceiling frescoes.
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Candlesticks and clock with depictions of Amor and Psyche, Empire-style.
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Chinese room at Esterházy palace.
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Tiled stove and chandelier in the "bedroom of the princess" The big mirrors create an interesting perspective.
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Red parlor at Esterházy palace.
After visiting the princely apartments on the first floor, I descend to the cellars where an exhibition about wine-making is located. How apt! I find especially the big barrels and their wooden carvings very impressive. By the way, the cellars are huge. One can almost get lost down there.
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Wine press and barrels, Esterházy palace.
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Barrel with depiction of Madonna with child, so called "Mary's barrel", from the year 1900. I has a capacity of 3.515 liters.
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Front of a barrel with depiction of emperor Francis Joseph and empress Elisabeth.
After the cool cellars I leave the palace and get some sun in the palace gardens. On the way out I purchase a bottle sparkling wine as a souvenir.
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Palace park, in view of the so-called "temple of Leopoldine", which is named after the daughter of prince Nikolaus II, who constructed the round temple inspired by antique models between 1818 and 1823.
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Facade of Esterházy palace, viewed from the "temple of Leopoldine".
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Orangery at the palace park Esterházy.
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Giant tree trunk.
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Idyllic view of the palace park.
I don't stay very long at the park because soon my bus to Rust am Neusiedlersee departs. Luckily the bus stop at Domplatz is not that far away from the park. After half an hour I arrive at Rust where I meet my friends and get started with our wine-tasting tour around the winemakers yards.
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The city center of Rust am Neusiedler See. A nice little town.
Last weekend I decided to cross a few things off my places-to-visit list. I decided for the theme of the middle ages and paid a visit to the inner city.
