Vorau Abbey - Eisenstadt - Esterhazy Palace

Route: Sopron - Vorau Abbey - Eisenstadt - Esterhazy Palace - Sopron
Duration: 9 h
Our first stop will be at the Vorau Abbey wich was founded in 1163 by margrave Ottokar III in gratitude for the birth of his son and heir. Because of its location between the Wechsel in the north, the Masenberg in the south and the nearness to the east Styrian border Vorau has always been a very turbulent area. The monastery and its land had almost constantly been threatened by the Hungarian, Slovenes and Turkish invasions.  As a result of this constant threat the monastery was secured by many defence towers, a moat and the iron bars at the entrance gate which you can still see today. Especially in the 15th century, the people who lived in the surrounding area found protection within the walls of the monastery. Today the monastery of Vorau has 15 towers, more than any other monastery in Austria.  Above the entrance door of the church you can read a Latin inscription that stands for: “This is the house of God where the name of the Lord is invoked. Our next stop in this tour we will make in  the Eisenstadt where you will visit to the Esterházy Palace and also see the most popular places associated with austrian composer Joseph Haydn. The palace tour shows the magnificent apartment of the Esterházy wives and provides a glimpse into the lives and worlds of three charismatic ladies: Maria Josefa Hermenegilda, née Princess Liechtenstein, passionate patroness of Joseph Haydn; Maria Theresia, née Princess von Thurn und Taxis, lionized beauty at the Congress of Vienna, and Lady Sarah Child-Villiers.Meet personalities from the past and discover the fascinating and moving stories of their loves, marital bliss and troubles. The palace chapel and the Haydnsaal – world-famous for its acoustics – are further highlights of this tour.  Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) had been employed with the Esterházy family for more than 40 years. After his death he was first buried in Vienna. In 1820 his remains were transferred to Eisenstadt and put into their final resting place, the mausoleum, in 1954. The Haydn Mausoleum is located right under the north tower of the Haydn Church. It is the famous composer's dignified and evocative place of burial. Thousands of music lovers from all corners of the globe visit the mausoleum every year.Also you will see Haydn House Eisenstadt,Haydn Mausoleum, Calvary, Haydn‘s Herb Garden Jewish Quarter and Jewish Cemetery and more. After we will return to Sopron.
Price: Per person