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.” The HERBSTGOLD Festival will take place at Esterházy Palace from September 10 to 21, 2025. 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.
Opera production 2025: The Flying Dutchman
A unique backdrop for powerful emotions: from July 9 to August 23, a work by Richard Wagner will be performed for the first time at the Oper im Steinbruch: The Flying Dutchman. The captivating story of the legendary, damned sailor is transformed into a spooky yet romantic tale in the rugged rocky landscape of the St. Margarethen quarry, making it a spectacular summer experience.
The captain’s daughter Senta fantasizes in melancholy daydreams about the eerie figure of a sailor condemned to eternal life, who is only allowed to go ashore every seven years in order to win the love of a woman. Only such love and unwavering loyalty until the woman’s death can release the undead sailor from his curse. No composer before Richard Wagner was able to capture the roar of a raging sea so thrillingly in music, no one was able to give the horror of a ghost ship such a vivid musical form.
(Paid content cooperation)
www.henrici.at
www.selektion-burgenland.at
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.
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.
Ticket agency pan.event GmbH
www.panevent.at
Esterhazyplatz 4
7000 Eisenstadt
Email: tickets@panevent.at
Tel. +43-(0)2682-650 65
Esterhazy Tourism Team
Booking of custom-tailored supporting programs for groups:
Email: groups@esterhazy.at
Tel. +43 (0)2682-630 04 72 30
