Esterhazy Palace guided tour in Eisenstadt
On a guided tour of Esterhazy Palace in Burgenland You can hear many stories in the capital city of Eisenstadt. From Joseph Haydn, who worked here for many years. Or from the immeasurably wealthy Esterházy family, who were even richer - but also more generous - than the Austrian emperors. Too generous, as it finally turned out, but which, over generations, paid back its debts to pennies and pennies. About wine and winemaking and a wine cellar that is now only opened on special occasions.
In addition, we experience guided tours of concerts and the sounds that echo down in the castle courtyard at Esterhazy Palace. And of a Hungarian dancer who enchanted the last Prince Esterházy so much that he married her. One tells of family disputes over the inheritance of the princely family. But also from the exotic taste of the Esterházys, which is expressed in several Chinese-inspired castle rooms. The castle bears witness to the splendor, which is shown in the precious silverware of the royal family, but also to the life of the domestics who lived on the upper floors of the castle and kept the splendor alive.
Guided tour of Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt
In any case, a guided tour in Esterházy Palace takes us into a world that we cannot imagine. In this castle, however, it comes alive in the magnificent halls. In the concert hall where the next Haydn concert is being rehearsed. In the living rooms, which bring the times of exoticism to life with their chinoiserie. But also in the simple rooms of the maids and housekeepers who took care of the well-being of the royal family and their guests.
During our tour of Esterhazy Palace, we learned that there was even a strict hierarchy among the staff, which was also reflected in the furnishings in their living spaces. While the maids lived in simply furnished rooms, the maid already had her own bathroom. The pictures on the walls show the princes and their wives. However, only two of the women were married out of love. What kind of life must that have been? Between all the pomp, but without human warmth? Was it worth all this excess?
The castle as an administrative center
On our guided tour of Esterhazy Palace, we also see the traces that the palace's past as an administrative building for public offices has left behind. In any case, I can't imagine going to the office here every day. To know what splendor and what fates once took place in these rooms, while you yourself are exposed to the daily grind of everyday office life. However, those days are over. Instead, the foundation that manages the castle today exposes the remains of the wall that show the castle's eventful history. In the meantime, you can even discover magnificent wall paintings behind the wallpaper in the administration offices. Our walk through Esterházy Palace is a rollercoaster of emotions. At the same time, however, it is also a lesson that nothing lasts.
A walk through Esterhazy Castle
For us, the tour through Esterházy Palace is on the one hand a walk through the turbulence of history from the times of the nobility to the state administrative apparatus of today. A mix that will definitely make you think. Which also brings us closer to the development of Austria up to the present day in a very personal way.
travel planning
Esterházy Palace is located in the center of Eisenstadt.
Esterházy Palace
Esterházyplatz 5
7000 Eisenstadt, Austria
T + 43 (0) 2682 / 63004-0
Skip-the-line entry ticket
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Hotels
You can book hotels in Eisenstadt here *
Rental car
Motorhome trip
If you are traveling with a mobile home, you will not find a campsite in Eisenstadt. The closest are in the region of Lake Neusiedl, e.g. Camping Oggau, Seegasse, Campingpl. 1, 7063 Oggau. What you need for motorhome tripscan be found here. A Rent a motorhome you can here. Or do you like to travel with him roof tent on the car? Also the overnight stay in camping tents is possible. With our Motorhome packing list You'll never forget anything again. Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?
Do you already know:
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Source Esterhazy Palace tour: research on site. In any case, we would like to thank Tourismus Burgenland for inviting us to this trip. However, our opinion remains our own.
Text Esterhazy Palace Guided tour: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs, TravelWorldOnline
