Schloss Esterházy Außenansicht

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Esterházy: Year-round cultural offering

Palace quarter in Eisenstadt

Striking and imposing, for centuries Esterházy Palace has been far more than the cultural heart of Eisenstadt. As Joseph Haydn’s former place of work, a cradle of Viennese Classicism and a venue for magnificent concerts and festivities, today the Palace attracts visitors as a museum and contemporary event location. Unique exhibits in a historical ambience invite guests to explore the collections of the House of Esterházy.

The Esterházy private foundation’s claim to create a link between the past and the present and interpret history based on a contemporary approach is evident not only in the outstanding, innovative exhibitions at Esterházy Palace but also in the palace quarter. The “Henrici”, a superb restaurant serving Levantine cuisine with a new Pannonian twist, is located in the former court stables. Right next door, you can enjoy the splendid wines of the Burgenland at the “Selektion Vinothek Burgenland.” Or enjoy the regional treats of the season at the “Kulinarium Burgenland Market Hall.” The HERBSTGOLD Festival will take place at Esterházy Palace from September 11 to 22, 2024. It will combine the aspects of classical, jazz and Balkan Roma music with food & wine and the tradition of the historic location.

Forchtenstein Castle

Visible from afar, Forchtenstein Castle is enthroned on a rocky crest of the Rosalia Mountains and bears witness to a period of war and adventure. Its roots go back to the 13th century, and since the 1620s it has been associated with the name of Esterházy. Paul I. Esterházy built up the castle to become the Baroque high castle that it now is, housing the historic Treasure Chamber, the armory and permanent and special exhibitions invite visitors on a journey through history.

St. Margarethen Quarry

The Leitha Limestone at the St. Margarethen Quarry dates from the time when the primeval sea surged over Burgenland. It has been used for such projects as the construction and restoration of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna and the erection of many buildings along Vienna’s Ringstrasse.  The impressive walls created by the quarrying process now form the backdrop for opulent opera performances, for works of art by renowned artists, and for discovery tours into the world of geology.

Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” is on the program for the 2024 edition of Oper im Steinbruch. In “Aida”, Giuseppe Verdi created a masterful opera about the immortality of love. The old master of Italian opera strikes exactly the right, rousing note for every mood. The love between the servant Aida and Captain Radames must remain secret so as not to arouse the jealousy of the pharaoh’s daughter, Amneris. Nobody suspects that Aida is the imprisoned princess of Ethiopia. When the will of the gods leads Radames to command the Egyptians in the decisive battle against the Ethiopians, Aida is plunged into an irresolvable conflict of conscience. Verdi’s masterpiece harmoniously blends into the rugged rocky landscape of the St. Margarethen quarry like practically no other opera. More information: www.operimsteinbruch.at

(Paid content cooperation)


Palace quarter in Eisenstadt Esterházy Palace

Esterházyplatz 1
7000 Eisenstadt
  • Vienna City Card

    • Benefits of the Vienna City Card: -20%

      Additional information on the offer:

      Standard ticket price from 19€

  • Opening times

    • 1 January to 31 March
      Sa, Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Tu – Fr only on a guided tour
    • 01 April to 30 June
      Tu – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • 1 July to 31 August
      daily 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
    • 1 September to 31 October
      Tu – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • 01 November to 31 December
      Sa, Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Tu – Fr only on a guided tour
    • December 24: only "Christmas tour"

      9.30 am | 11.00 am

      December 25 & 26: closed

      January 1: 12.00 noon – 5.00 pm

  • Accessibility

    • Main entrance
      • 3 Steps (Double swinging doors )
    • Side entrance
      • (Double swinging doors 120 cm wide)
      • Ramp 350 cm long , 600 cm wide
    • Car parks Main entrance
      • 2 Parking spaces for people with disabilities
    • Further information
      • Seeing eye dogs allowed
      • 5 Wheelchair spaces available (Haydnsaal, Reservierung erbeten)
      • Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
    • Special offers for people with disabilities

      50% discount on admission price.

    • Comments

      Schloss Esterházy offers a largely barrier-free experience for visitors with limited mobility. The Haydn explosive exhibition is accessible at ground level. Wheelchair users can also visit the Highlights of the Esterházy Palace exhibition – which takes in the world-famous Haydn Hall on the first floor – without any problems. However, due to the layout of the historic building, some prior organization is required.

      As a result, we kindly ask you to call the palace before your visit on +43 (0)2682/63004-7600. We will take it from there and make the necessary arrangements.

      Barrier-free restroom facilities are available on the first floor (access via Café Maskaron) and on the Beletage (Foyer Empiresaal).

www.henrici.at
www.selektion-burgenland.at
www.markthalle-burgenland.com

Getting there: By car: A2 towards Graz, exit at "Eisenstadt" onto A3, exit at "Eisenstadt Mitte", continue on "Mattersburger Strasse" to roundabout, take first exit, follow "Ruster Strasse" to Esterházy Palace (duration: approx. 45 - 60 minutes). By bus from Vienna Südtirolerplatz to Eisenstadt.

Forchtenstein Castle

Melinda-Esterházy-Platz 1
7212 Forchtenstein
  • Comments

    • Getting there: By car, via the A2/A3 towards Eisenstadt, continue on the S31 to the Forchtenstein exit. By bus from Vienna Südtirolerplatz to Forchtenstein.

  • Opening times

    • 01 January to 31 March
      Mo, We – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 4.00 pm only on a guided tour
    • 01 April to 30 June
      Mo, We – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • 01 July to 31 August
      open daily | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • 01 September to 31 October
      Mo, We – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
    • 01 November to 31 December
      Mo, We – Su and public holidays | 10.00 am – 4.00 pm only on a guided tour
    • December 24: only children's program | 10.30 am

      "Waiting for the Christkind"

      December 31: only New Year's Eve guided tour | 10.00 pm (limited number of participants)

      December 25 – January 1: closed

  • Accessibility

    • Main entrance
      • 3 Steps (Automatic sliding doors )
    • Further information
      • Seeing eye dogs allowed
      • Wheelchair accessible restroom available.
    • Special offers for people with disabilities

      50 % discount on admission price

    • Comments

      Restaurant is wheelchair-accessible

www.restaurant-grenadier.com

Getting there: By car, via the A2/A3 towards Eisenstadt (see above), continue on the S31 to the Forchtenstein exit. By bus from Vienna Südtirolerplatz to Forchtenstein.

St. Margarethen Quarry

Römersteinbruch 1
7062 St. Margarethen
  • Opening times

    • 1 May to 30 June
      Sa – Su and public holidays, guided tours at 10.30 am and 3.30 pm | German
    • 1 July to 31 August
      Daily guided tour at 10.30 am | German
    • 1 September to 31 October
      Sa – Su and public holidays, guided tours at 10.30 am and 3.30 pm | German
    • In the event of thunderstorms and heavy rain, the tour will unfortunately have to be canceled.

Ticket agency pan.event GmbH

www.panevent.at
Esterhazyplatz 4
7000 Eisenstadt
Email:
Tel. +43-(0)2682-650 65

Pan.Reisen (Esterhazy Tourism Team)

Booking of custom-tailored supporting programs for groups:
Email:
Tel. +43 (0)2682-630 04 72 30


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