Near the Austrian border, 60 km from Vienna and 220 km from Budapest, Sopron is one of the most charming medieval cities in Hungary. The gothic and early baroque architecture, backstreets and courtyards, historical monuments and quality wine, all of this contributes to the soul of this picturesque town.
Sopron has been a historic place throughout the centuries: it was a famous Roman village and in 1989, it was the site of the first gate in the Iron Curtain, two months before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The city is also a cultural town in harmony with itself and nature. It preserves its values, cultivates its traditions and feels responsible for the future.
Aerial view of Sopron © Sopron Town Hall
On 19 August 1989, Sopron was the site of the Pan-European Picnic, a protest on the Iron Curtain, which was used by over 600 citizens of East Germany to escape to the West. As the first successful crossing of the border, it helped pave the way for the mass flight of East German citizens that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989. The dismantling of the Iron Curtain is remembered every year on 19th August by the legendary “Pan-European Picnic” in the memorial park next to the lake Fertő.
Walking in the city, you will understand why Sopron won a European award for the protection of historical monuments. Besides the splendid architectural works and cambering small streets of bygone days, you will appreciate the squares steeped in the Middle Ages, the emerging town walls, the finely wrought balconies, the vaulted gateways and the ambience of the rustic quarters interspersed with wine cellars.
The main square of the town – the forum of the ancient roman village called “Scarbantia” – has preserved its medieval structure. The well-known symbol of the town is the “Tűztorony” or “Firewatch Tower”, which offers a fine view of the city and its pleasant neighbourhood from its pillared balcony. The walls of the city were often destroyed, but something has remained from every epoch.
Sopron is famous for its hospitality, as well as for its loyalty. Following the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a referendum was held in 1921 to decide whether the city should belong to Austria or Hungary. As the inhabitants voted for Hungary, Sopron has been called “Civitas Fidelissima” ("The Most Loyal Town").
Esterhazy Palace
On the other hand, the historical town centre of Sopron displays a vivid and bustling life. Several music festivals rhythm the city, such as the Sopron Festive Weeks and the Summer Musical Series of the Cave Theatre in Fertőrákos, where the fascinating natural environment and the unique acoustics provide an exceptional experience. These events are in line with the prestigious musical past. As a prodigy child, Liszt gave his very first recital here in Sopron. The old casino refurbished as a conference centre – Cartoon Forum’s venue – is named after the great composer.
The Spring Days, the series of professional exhibitions, the Sopron Wine Feast, the Pan-European commemorations and numerous other events are further complements of what Sopron offers.
The wine feast celebrates the excellent wine of the Sopron region, which is becoming more and more famous. The grape-growing and wine culture of the area is already 2000 years old. Being a free royal town, it had the right of retailing wine as a privilege. Accordingly, wine has had an important part in the life of the town throughout the centuries. It was part of the economic basis, but could also influence political decisions in the right direction if necessary. The most widespread kind of grape in the wine region situated under the Alps is the so-called “Kékfrankos”. The deep red wine has a bouquet of its own and is rich in acids.
Sopron is nestled in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by wooded hills, silent forests, pinewoods, oak forests, chestnut groves, springs and lookout towers. The Lővér Hills, located to the south of the town, is Sopron’s most beautiful and most elegant holiday quarter.
Nearby Sopron, the lake Fertő is the third largest among the natural lakes in central Europe. The Fertő region is the quintessence of the ecological, scenic and ethnographical characteristics of the Carpathian Hollow all at the same time. The remarkable architectural units, the canebrake fields, the unique flora and fauna of the Lake Fertő, as well as the local traditions all became part of UNESCO’s World Heritage in 2001.
One of the most significant architectural sites in the region is the Esterházy Palace in Fertőd. Built in the 18th century, the 126-room baroque castle is often referred to as the Hungarian Versailles. Hungary's richest aristocratic family, the Esterházys were great patrons of music. Joseph Haydn spent more than thirty years as a court composer in the palace and composed many of his famous works during this period.
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