Esterházy Palace

Esterházy Palace is a Baroque palace in Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland. Its origins go back to the late 13th or 14th century; from 1364 it belonged to the Kanizsai family. The Esterházy family acquired it in 1622 and used it for over 300 years as their main residence and administrative seat. Paul I Esterházy had it converted into a Baroque palace after 1652 and gave it its present façade.

Among the highlights is the Haydn Hall, built from 1663 to 1672 under Paul I. The three-storey hall is regarded as one of the most beautiful and acoustically best concert halls in the world; its 17th-century frescoes are attributed to Carpoforo Tencalla. Joseph Haydn worked for the Esterházy family from 1761 and regularly conducted the orchestra here. Under Nikolaus II a neoclassical rebuild to plans by Charles Moreau began but was left unfinished. Today the palace belongs to the Esterházy Private Foundation, and most of its roughly 256 rooms house the provincial government.

For road trippers: about 25 rooms are open on tours, and the Haydn exhibition “Haydn Explosive” is across the courtyard. Check tour and concert dates beforehand.