Styria and Burgenland
Austria's second largest province, Styria (Steiermark in German), includes mountain ranges, deep forests, vineyards, and grasslands.
Austrians enjoy the region for its hot springs, wineries, ski slopes, and traditional life. A thousand years ago, medieval metalsmiths forged the rich iron ore of Upper Styria into weapons and armor, much of which you can see today in regional museums.
In the Middle Ages if you traveled through Burgenland, you were probably a Roman, Magyar, Turkish, French, German, or Russian soldier marching as part of an invasion force. This region has been fought over so brutally and for so long that after the Turkish invasion of 1529, settlers from Croatia were brought in because nobody was left.
Castle Hotels of Styria
Hotel-Restaurant Schloss Gabelhofen
Hotel Schloss Pichlarn
Schloss Kapfenstein
Schloss Obermayerhofen
Schloss Stubenberg
Schloss Thannegg-Moosheim
Castle Hotels of Burgenland
Hotel Burg Bernstein
Ritterburg Lockenhaus
Go to a different region
Carinthia
Lower and Upper Austria
Salzburg
Tyrol and Vorarlberg
Vienna
Now the newest province of Austria--as determined from a 1921 plebiscite following World War I--Burgenland takes its name not from the dozens of castles that dot its hillsides (burg means "castle" in German) but from the former Hungarian administrative districts which used the suffix "burg" in their names.
Some great reasons to visit
(check out the links page to the left for further information)
Graz The historical city center of Styria's capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Eisenstadt Now the capital of Burgenland, Eisenstadt was once the home of Austrian composer Franz Josef Haydn. His patrons, the Esterházy princes, were a powerful Hungarian family who ruled over Eisenstadt from their home at the baroque-style Schloss Esterházy.
The Castle Road (Schlossstrasse) Over a dozen mighty fortresses perch on hilltops along the border of Burgenland and Styria. Each has a distinct personality and a present-day reincarnation as museums, concert venues, and hotels.
Burg Forchtenstein Built in the 14th century and still in the hands of the Esterházy family, Forchtenstein is one of Burgenland's most famous castles.
Neusiedler See Breeding ground for over 250 bird species, Europe's only steppe lake has no natural outlet. An ideal recreation area for water sports enthusiasts, bird watchers, and bicyclists.
Rust Famous for its rooftop storks and outstanding wine, Renaissance and baroque façades grace the houses of this charming village along the shores of Neusiedler See.
Styrian wine routes (Weinstrassen) Sample the local vintages along well-marked wine routes. A booklet from the Styrian tourist office has complete information.
Piber Stud Farm The snow-white Lipizzaner stallions that perform at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna are bred here.
Mariazell Founded in 1157, this important pilgrimage center has had several miracles attributed to the Virgin of Mariazell.
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