24904AUS
Opening days/times, entrance fees, etc. listed in Yellow Pages.
Journey time from central Vienna: A good 60 minutes
Morning or afternoon visit
· Check what is included at the Bergkirche, as there is a separate extra charge for the Haydn Mausoleum and the Calvary
Sightseeing includes:
· Schloss Esterházy
· Bergkirche (Haydn Church)
You do not need to give a walking tour of the town.
If you are staying in Vienna…
Exit the A3 Autobahn at Junction 34 (Müllendorf) and onto the B59 signposted to Eisenstadt. . If you have never been to Eisenstadt before, do not confuse the first church you see (the Kleinhöflein church) as you approach the town with the Bergkirche (Haydn Church). The latter is the one you are interested in and is the second church you will drive past, not the first!
Church Visit First Procedure:
Depending on the time of your palace tour, you may choose to visit the church first. There is a coach drop off point on the main road right next to the church. Tell your driver to continue straight on down the hill for approx 300 metres and to take the first main turning to the left in front of the palace (Glorietteallee). The only coach park in Eisenstadt is up this road, 150m on the left and is signposted. Give them a time and tell them you will return there with the group on foot after your palace tour and/or lunch as appropriate.
There are free WCs directly behind the church if required. Lead the group in and (if included) pay for the group to see the small Haydn mausoleum on the left. It is small and they will need to enter in groups of 10 maximum. When everyone is done, lead them to behind the altar on the right, where a hidden door leads up to the Calvary Hill (if included). This represents the Stages of the Cross with life-size statues. The group must turn right to see the first Stages of the Cross, then double-back on itself to proceed up out onto to the roof following the remaining stages. Then it is necessary to double-back on yourself to exit the church the way you came in. The whole thing can occur as somewhat confusing, but still is great fun. Arrange to meet everyone back outside the entrance to the church. Allow a minimum of 45 minutes for the church visit if the Stages of the Cross is included; or 15 minutes if it is only the mausoleum.
Then walk the group downhill along the main road together into Eisenstadt. The palace will appear in front of you after around 300m (10 minutes walk maximum). If the group is staying in town for lunch, let them know that there is a restaurant directly opposite the palace, as well as a limited selection of places down in the town, which is straight on further down the pedestrianised street and is quite obvious. The Haydnbräu on Pfarrgasse is the one large and reliable restaurant. The Spar supermarket on the left in town is ideal for take-away sandwiches and picnic items. There are ATMs in the town centre.
Take the group to the ticket office, buy your tickets, and point out the small WCs in the far left of the courtyard. The visit may be with a guide or on their own with audio-guides – check your voucher for what has been booked.
Let your group know what time you will be meeting them later, which may be after lunch and/or freetime at the front of the palace. Then walk with them to the coach park up Glorietteallee. Allow 15 minutes for that walk, as it is uphill.
Palace First Visit Procedure:
Point out the Bergkirche as you pass it, but proceed directly to the bus park on Glorietteallee (directions as above). Walk the group to the palace and visit as described above. If you are stopping for lunch point out where the centre of town is (see above) and give them a time to meet you back in front of the palace. From there you will walk up hill (allow 15 minutes) to the church for your visit. Call your driver when you are done so that he can pick the group up at the church and then proceed back along the B52 out of town to rejoin the Autobahn.
THINGS TO DO
Schloss Esterházy Wine Museum
The Esterhazy estate has been producing wine since the 17th century and, until a few years ago, this was stored in the cellars of the palace. With the opening of an outstanding modern winery in nearby Trausdorf (visits can be booked e.g. for adult groups) the cellars have now been converted into a large wine museum. With a little bit of notice, the museum shop should be able to arrange a guided tour with tasting if you have adults who are
interested. The estate’s wine and schnapps can also be purchased in the palace shop.
Haydn-Haus
The Haydn House at J. Haydn Gasse 19, 200 metres east of the palace by the Schlosspark, is where Haydn lived for 12 years of his life. The museum features original portraits of Joseph Haydn, musical dedications, personal letters and period furniture.
Walks
In the Schlosspark and around the Old Town.
Heuriger
If you are staying in Eisenstadt then a visit to one of Eisenstadt’s 17 Heuriger (wine taverns) is a good evening option. Not all the Heuriger are open all the time so refer to the Heurigenkalender on the town’s website and call ahead.
