Sopron / Bük & Sárvár region for Seniors - 2 days

Almost every building is a protected monument, and as you walk by, you can read the story of each house on the sign installed on the facade. In the Middle Ages, Sopron was one of Hungary’s seven most important free royal cities. It was not only a coronation city but also a border town, which, given its geographical position, always played an important role in facilitating intercultural dialogue throughout history. The old Roman trading roads ran through here, including the famous Amber Road. The buildings here are home to many museums: the Fabricius House, the Pharmacy Museum, the Scarbantia Forum, the Old and New Synagogues, the Eggenberg House, the Lábas House and the Cézár House are all within a short walk of each other. The story of the Storno House and the Kecske Church on Fő tér is of particular importance. The Storno House is a palatial corner house built in the Baroque style, a monument to the history of Sopron between the 17th and 20th centuries. Ferenc Storno, after whom the building was named, came to Sopron as a result of being given wrong directions given to him. He started working here as a chimney sweep and soon discovered real treasures in the attics of certain houses in and around Sopron. The Goat Church looks back on an ancient past: manuscripts first make mention of it in 1280. Above its entrance, you can see the coat-of-arms with the goat, alluding to the benefactor of the church. It has been the venue of many historical events, including coronations, and the National Assembly held its meetings here several times.

The building of the Esterházy Castle in Fertőd we see today was designed and created in the 18th century and the castle – with its 126 rooms – is a worthy match for Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna or Versailles in Paris.

‘The Hungarian Versailles’ was a place of music and splendour. It was regularly home to parties, and even Maria Theresa took part in one such magnificent ball. By the end of the 18th century, the castle became one of the cultural centres of the country, so it’s no wonder that even Joseph Haydn lived and worked here for two decades.

After a walk through the contemporary history exhibition in the rooms of the castle, take a walk in the beautiful castle park.