Schloss Esterházy

Top choice


Schloss Esterházy, a giant, ochre castle-palace that dominates Esterházyplatz, is by far Eisenstadt’s most compelling attraction. Dating from the 14th century, the Schloss received a baroque makeover and a later one in neoclassical style. Many of the 256 rooms are occupied by the provincial government, but around 25 can be viewed on tours. The regular tour covers about seven rooms, giving you an insight into the history of the palace and the lives of the people who inhabited it.

A highlight is the frescoed Haydn Hall, where during Haydn’s employment by the Esterházys from 1761 to 1790, the composer conducted an orchestra on a near-nightly basis.

The Haydn Explosive exhibition across the palace courtyard offers an interesting conflux of history and the new: Haydn’s music accompanies you as you walk past exhibitions on the life and work of the great composer, a holograph depicts a string quartet, period furniture is projected onto the ceiling and a minuscule hole in the floor has an odd projection of a bare-breasted woman shouting abuse while burning in hell. To get the most out of the palace and Haydn, do the tour, then the Haydn exhibition.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Landesmuseum

0.11 MILES

The Landesmuseum plunges you deep into the local history of the region, seemingly all at once, including a collection of Roman mosaics, ancient artefacts,…

2. Österreichisches Jüdisches Museum

0.14 MILES

Situated in the former Judengasse – a street where Eisenstadt’s Jewish population lived in the Middle Ages – this museum has a permanent exhibition…

3. Haydn-Haus

0.16 MILES

Situated in a house dating from the early 18th century, this museum dedicated to Haydn was where the great composer lived from 1766 to 1778. Probably one…

4. Bergkirche

0.34 MILES

This unusual, lumpy church, its exterior bedecked in life-size disco-dancing angels and saints, contains the white-marble tomb with Haydn’s remains. It…

5. Fischerkirche

7.88 MILES

At the opposite end of Rathausplatz from the Katholische Kirche, this is the oldest church for miles around, built between the 12th and 16th centuries.

6. Katholische Kirche

7.95 MILES

The church’s tower is a good vantage point for observing storks' nests and the priest doesn't seem to mind. It’s located at the eastern end of…

7. House of the Two Moors

11.48 MILES

Fashioned from two 17th-century peasant houses, the House of the Two Moors and its ornate gate are guarded by two large statues. Previously painted an…

8. Church of the Holy Spirit

11.49 MILES

The interior of this 15th-century church is rather dark, but if you time your visit for midday, you’ll be able catch a glimpse of some fine wall and…