Sopron is a small cozy town located very close to the Alpine border, at the foot of the Alps. It is surrounded on all sides by a ring of dense coniferous forests. In the I-II centuries, on the site of Sopron, there was a rich Roman settlement of Skarbantia, through which the famous Amber Route passed: merchants transported the amber mined on the Baltic shores to the countries of Southern Europe. Fragments of stone sculptures and decorations of the ancient forum, located at the foot of the Fire Tower, known as one of the symbols of Sopron, have survived to this day. This tower was erected on the remains of an ancient Roman foundation and since the 13th century it served as the northern gateway to the city. In the old days, firefighters of the guards played a very important role in the life of the city. In addition to their main function of monitoring fire safety, they also warned residents about approaching troops or trade carts. In addition, they were invited as musicians to all kinds of events - weddings, funerals, festivals. Ironically, in 1676 the tower itself suffered a fire. As a result of subsequent reconstruction, it acquired its current baroque appearance. The lower vault of the tower is decorated with a bas-relief "Hungary is calling its sons", reminiscent of the historical event of 1921. The history of this bas-relief is as follows: after the First World War, when the borders were revised, the inhabitants of Sopron had the opportunity to decide during a referendum whether they wanted to belong to Austria or Hungary. The townspeople voted in favor of Hungary. The same event is reminded of the Latin inscription on the city's coat of arms, which reads “Civitas Fidelissima” (“The most loyal citizens”).
Sopron is often compared to a jewelry box, since in terms of the number of its architectural monuments and museums, it is the second Hungarian city after Budapest. In connection with this fact, in 1975 Sopron was awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Prize in Europe. The main square of the Old Town - Fő tér - is surrounded by old houses, each of which is a valuable architectural monument. Some of these houses house museums, the most visited of which is the Storno House, built in the Baroque style and decorated with a cozy corner balcony. In the old days, the house belonged to immigrants from Italy, the Storno family. Particularly famous is the head of the family, Felix Storno, who acquired this now famous building in 1872. Without any special education, he used his own funds to restore many frescoes in the Transdanubian region and, as a result, collected a huge collection of medieval religious objects, furniture, stained-glass windows, glassware and porcelain. Nowadays, all these values are exhibits of the museum operating in the Curtain House. 
The building is also known for the fact that Franz Liszt performed concerts here twice - in 1840 and 1881.
Another interesting building on the Main Square is the General's House. Initially, it belonged to Dr. K. Lackner, who donated the house to the general in 1681. Today, the house houses an exhibition of contemporary sculpture.
The House of Fabricius is a valuable architectural monument. The hall of the building is a unique example of the Gothic style, in addition, the elegant loggia in the courtyard, as well as the Gothic and Baroque cellars, deserve attention. The owners of the building have always been wealthy citizens or merchants; it got its name in honor of the mayor and member of the city magistrate, Endre Fabricius, who owned it at the beginning of the 19th century. When Franz Liszt gave concerts in Sopron, the outstanding Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi, with whom Fabritius was on friendly terms and who at that time was at the front, having escaped from the military barracks, lived in this house. Today, the House of Fabricius houses a museum whose decoration and furniture reflect the tastes of the burgher class of the 17th – 18th centuries. However, the most interesting is the medieval basement of the building, which houses the Roman lapidarium. Here you can see the ruins of buildings left from the time of Scarbantia - the ruins of temples and baths, statues, burial urns and sarcophagi ... The Gothic house "Gambrinus", built at the beginning of the 15th century by order of King Zsigmond, is famous for the fact that it housed the town hall. One of the most visited museums in Sopron is the Municipal History Museum, also located on the Main Square. Its exposition is dedicated to the history of Sopron in the 17th – 18th centuries. There is also a separate exhibition of archaeological finds from the vicinity of Sopron - the Celtic, Roman and Hungarian periods. As in many other Hungarian cities, the central square of Sopron is decorated with a statue of the Holy Trinity. According to one of the widespread versions, it was installed at the expense of the native of Sopron, Janos Jacob Levenburg, in memory of his wife who died during the plague epidemic.
Sopron is famous for its ancient churches and temples. 
In the southern part of the Central Square stands the Benedictine Church, which is also popularly called the Church of the Kozy. The temple is famous for the fact that Hungarian rulers were crowned in it three times. The interior of the church is notable for its beauty - frescoes and ornaments, lancet windows and a unique Christian pulpit, which is of great value. Another significant temple in the city is the Church of St. Michael, located outside the Old City. The statue of the Virgin Mary, located inside the temple, is a masterpiece of wooden sculpture.
Around the central part of the city there is a system of streets and squares - Sopron downtown. Its narrow winding streets, the medieval atmosphere of cozy courtyards, the walls of the old city that meet at every step, fantastically decorated balconies will take you to bygone times. Despite the fact that Sopron is called an open-air museum, it still has its own museum street. Located in the downtown area, Tserkovnaya Street is distinguished by the fact that museums with the most valuable collections follow one after another. The Benedictine monastery houses the Kaptalan Hall, an architectural monument of the 13th century. Its magnificent decoration, statues and wall paintings are unrivaled examples of medieval art. House number 12, which once belonged to a Sopron priest, now belongs to the State Evangelical Museum. In house no. 5 you can see interesting samples of old clothes and coins. The Ferenc Liszt Museum is located on Tserkovnaya Street. The fact is that the great Hungarian composer was born near Sopron, in the town of Deboryan. The exhibition contains exhibits on the history of the city, ethnography, as well as works of fine art.
For centuries, downtown Sopron has been an area of artisans, merchants and winemakers. Streets such as Balfi, Fövényverem or Halász have retained their unique atmosphere to this day. The only bakery museum in the country is located on rue Bécsi. You will immediately recognize this building by the lions decorating its facade, leaning with one paw on the pretzels (a delicacy typical for Central Europe is dry dumplings sprinkled with salt). 
From 1686 to 1970, the house was owned by a baker's family. After that, the City Council decided to open a museum here, while preserving the original furnishings left over from the previous owners. In the right wing there is a working bakery where you can watch the process of making bread. In addition, the museum has a pastry shop and a bakery that sells the freshest baked goods.
Sopron is known not only for the wealth of its architectural monuments and museums, but also for being one of the oldest wine-growing regions in Hungary. On all sides, the city is surrounded by gentle hills adjacent to Lake Fertö. Reflecting in the waters of the lake, the sun's rays intensify their effect, which contributes to better ripening of the grapes. The history of Sopron winemaking goes back to the era of the Celts, who appreciated the local climatic conditions and began to cultivate vineyards here. During the Middle Ages, the fame of Sopron wines spread far beyond the borders of the Hungarian state: many European monarchs and representatives of the higher clergy ordered them to their table. The most famous wine produced in the region is kekfankos. It has a rich crimson color and intense bouquet. Of the white varieties, zöld veltelini is the most characteristic, and the piros veltelini made from the early ripening grape variety is considered a real exclusive.
Many interesting natural and cultural attractions are concentrated in the vicinity of the city. For example, to the east of Sopron is the Ferto-Hanshag National Park. Lake Fert deserves special attention here, famous for both its size and unique flora and fauna. In 2001, the lake and its surroundings were honored to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Climbing lovers can recommend a walk in the Levorek hills surrounding Sopron. At the top of one of them is the Karoy observation tower, from where a picturesque panorama of the city and its surroundings opens. Just 25 km from Sopron, in the town of Fertöd, there is the legendary Esterházy Palace, one of the most beautiful in Hungary. The town of Nagyzenk (14 km west of Förted) is famous for being the birthplace of Istvan Szechenyi. In the manor that has survived to this day, there is a memorial museum, the exposition of which is dedicated to the life of the legendary Hungarian politician.
At the beginning, Jozsef Esterhazy built a 20-room hunting lodge and two ceremonial halls. But this did not correspond to the ambitions of his son Miklos. As the richest nobleman in Hungary, he conceived of creating a palace, not for the splendor of Versailles. For this, the best Italian artists and architects were invited and huge sums of money were spent.
The hunting lodge was rebuilt and significantly expanded with lateral annexes giving the façade a semicircular shape. A magnificent fountain with sculptures of a dolphin and cherubs was laid out in front of the palace.
In total, the palace has 126 rooms, each of which is distinguished by its original design and does not repeat one another.
On the ground floor there is a beautiful room of the palace - the Reception Hall, made in the Italian style. Its floor is laid with marble tiles, the ceiling is painted with mythological subjects and dancing angels. The music hall delights with its gilded walls.
The ceiling of the grand hall is decorated with a huge fresco depicting Apollo on a chariot, and allegorical figures of Day and Night. The fresco has an amazing feature: from wherever you look at it in the hall, it seems that the chariot is moving right at you.
In addition to the main building, the museum complex includes an opera house, a puppet theater, the Orange House, a music house, as well as French and English parks.
Esterhazy Palace
Esterhazy is nicknamed “Hungarian Versailles” as it is the largest and most beautiful palace in Hungary during the Baroque era.
The palace has 126 rooms. The Banquet Hall is especially beautiful, its ceiling is decorated with the image of Apollo in a chariot. Decorated with the letter "E" indicating the owners' surname, the Great Library contains nearly 22,000 volumes. At the main entrance, tourists admire the wrought-iron gates, which are a masterpiece of blacksmithing art from 1764-1766.
The columns separating the gate parts are decorated with Rococo stone vases. On both sides of the palace, there are small two-story buildings that look like arms, ready to embrace the symmetrical park. Today, one of the parts of the palace houses a hotel, and Haydn festivals take place in the summer.
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Lake Fertö
Lake Fertö is the fourth largest lake in Central Europe, with an area of about 315 km², with an average depth of about one meter.
On the amazing Lake Fertö, you can observe more than 300 species of nesting and migratory birds, including herons, as well as spoonbills, wild geese, toadstools, warblers, wiggles, and many others.
When seasonal flights come, snipes, bean beetles and plovers stop here, as well as the red-breasted goose, white-tailed eagle and harrier among rare bird species.
On the shore of the lake there is a study trail from which bird watchers and park visitors can observe the biosphere of the reserve.
And already along there is the Fertemellek Ridge, which have been developed since the time of Ancient Rome until 1948.
The hills covered with forests are very beautiful and picturesque; on them you can see a large number of rare plants.
You can visit the park with an organized excursion, and some areas are completely closed to people.
For centuries, the tower has played a very important role in the life of the city of Sopron. The fires were monitored from it, and, surprisingly, music was often heard from the tower when significant events in life, such as weddings, funerals, took place.
The spire of the Fire Tower was decorated with a double-headed eagle, donated in 1622 by King Ferdinand II and Queen Eleanor.
Today the tower is not functioning, despite everything it has become significant in the life of people, it was a symbol of loyalty and love for the Motherland of Sopron.
In 1921, when the question of whether the city should remain a part of Hungary was being decided, the townspeople spoke in support of citizenship, and in memory of this, a sculptural composition "The people of Sopron pays tribute to the figure symbolizing Hungary" was erected above the gate of the tower.
The fire tower in Sopron has become a popular tourist attraction.
Many tourists climb the spiral staircase of 200 steps to the observation deck, a former security post, from where the entire city and its surroundings are visible at a glance.
Church of St. George Sopron
The Church of St. George is located in the city of Sopron. It is squeezed between houses on the street of the same name not far from the main square of the city. The temple was built between 1380 and 1430 and was a typical Gothic cathedral. Unfortunately, history has not told us the name of the architect who supervised the construction.
Since the end of the 16th century, the Church of St. George has been taken over by the growing Protestant community of the city of Sopron. In 1676, a serious fire broke out in the city, many houses were damaged, and the church of St. George was not spared. However, the building was quickly rebuilt, with the baroque style dominating the decoration. In 1674, the church changed owners again, coming under the rule of the Jesuit order. Since then, the appearance of the building has changed even more. In 1685, two side chapels were completed. In 1705–1706, a stucco ornament, characteristic of the Baroque era, appeared in the interior.
The final finishing touch to the appearance of the modern Church of St. George was introduced in 1882, when a 55-meter tower rose nearby. The church has three bells, the largest weighs 800 kg, the middle one - 200 kg, and the smallest one - 50 kg. All the bells were cast in the twenties of the last century. The bas-reliefs on the church depict the famous battle between George and the dragon. Also found was a bas-relief depicting Saint Margaret of Antioch. The value of these bas-reliefs is that they remain from an old Gothic temple. There is also an old organ, built in 1633, at the church.
Today, tourists often come to the Church of St. George to admire the rich altar. The furnishings inside are truly luxurious, in keeping with the 17th century. In the baptistery of the chapel next to the sanctuary, you can even see the remains of original medieval paintings. And when you exit, you can capture the general view of the building and yourself against its background.
The most popular attractions in Sopron with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Sopron on our website.
The Hungarian city of Sopron is perhaps best characterized by the motto inscribed on the gate of the old tower: "Loyal Citizens." This inscription appeared on the gate in memory of how the people of Sopron wished to remain part of their native Hungary.
Having visited this city, you will have no doubt that the townspeople to this day love their homeland and honor its rich history.
How to get there
The city of Sopron is located in the north-west of Hungary, near the border with Austria (only 6 kilometers). Distance from the Hungarian capital Budapest is about 220 kilometers.
Despite the fact that Sopron is a Hungarian city, it is most convenient to get to it from the Austrian Vienna. Vienna is just 60 kilometers away (and Budapest, for comparison, is 220 kilometers away). From Wien Meidling train station, trains run to Sopron quite often, the journey will take just over an hour, it is also convenient to go by car (it takes about an hour or even faster).
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A paragraph of history
A settlement on the site of modern Sopron has existed since ancient times, in particular, during the era of the Roman Empire, a city called Scarbantia was founded here. The city had a very advantageous location, as it lay on the trade route (the so-called "Amber Route"), which connected the Baltic States and southern Europe. After the destruction of Rome by barbarian tribes, the same fate befell Scarbantia. The future city of Sopron found new life only with the arrival of the Magyars in these lands. It is known that city fortifications and a castle were built here in the 11th century.
Sopron got its modern Hungarian name after one of its owners.
Sopron developed rapidly, and already in the 13th century received the status of a free royal city. However, the Turkish invasion of Hungary also affected him, the city was plundered by the conquerors in 1529, but thanks to desperate resistance, the Turks failed to establish full control. Thus, Sopron became a kind of center of attraction for refugees from all over the country, fleeing the brutal Turkish hordes, which led to its growth.
After the end of the First World War and the collapse of the Austria-Hungarian Empire, according to the peace treaties, the north-west of Hungary was to go to Austria. But Hungary opposed these decisions and refused to give up the city. In 1921, the countries agreed that the further fate and nationality of ancient Sopron should be decided by a plebescite. In the winter of 1921, following the results of the plebiscite, 65 percent of the residents spoke in favor of the city remaining within Hungary, which was done. And the day of December 14 has since been celebrated as a city holiday. Today's Sopron is a beautiful place with excellently preserved monuments of historical heritage.
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Sopron entertainment and attractions
The historical center of the city has been well preserved despite all the troubles that have befallen the city over the long history of its existence. The center was built mainly in the Baroque style in the 16-17th centuries. But Sopron also has typical medieval houses in narrow winding streets, Gothic churches and towers. There are even ruins here that remind us of the distant era of the Roman Empire and the city of Scarbantia.
Harrer Chocolate store in Sopron
The central square of Sopron is truly a gem of baroque architecture. In the center of the square, as in many other European cities, stands the plague column or the column of the Holy Trinity, built in 1680 in memory of the victims of a terrible disease that raged throughout the continent. There are houses around, almost all of which are an architectural monument. The most famous are "House of Gambrinus", "House of Shtorno" and "House of the General".
There are houses around the main square of Sopron, almost all of which are an architectural monument.
One of the main medieval sights of the city is the temple, popularly known as the "Goat Church". The church was erected in the 13th century, however, after that more than once it was completed, rebuilt, restored, due to which the building of the temple combines the features of both Gothic and Baroque styles. The Benedictine monastery, built in the 14th century, is also a medieval monument.
The Church of St. George, erected in the 17-18 centuries, has repeatedly changed its confessional affiliation. Until 1674, it was a Protestant temple, after the appearance of the ubiquitous Catholic Jesuit order in these parts, the church was transferred to them. The church is a striking example of baroque architecture. Its bell tower was erected later than the main building - in 1882.
Above Sopron there is a 60-meter fire tower, built in the 11th century on the foundations left over from Roman rule, but since then it has been rebuilt several times and therefore has lost its original appearance. Noteworthy is the gate located at the bottom of the tower - it is decorated with an inscription in Latin "Civitas Fidelissima", which means "Loyal Citizens" (in memory of the plebiscite of 1921, when the inhabitants of Sopron voted for their city to remain a part of Hungary). The gate, not surprisingly, is called the "Gate of Fidelity".
Another attraction of the city is the Old Synagogue. The old synagogue is really not young, it was built in 1379 and is considered one of the oldest in Europe. Sopron, before the Second World War, was home to a significant number of townspeople of the Jewish faith. The city also has a museum of the famous Hungarian composer Ferenc Liszt.
Not far from Sopron is the Ferte-Hansag National Park with a picturesque lake and Leverek pine forests. So fans of outdoor recreation will definitely have something to do in the vicinity of the city. Also near Sopron is the famous Esterhazy Castle, which is often called the "Hungarian Versailles".
- Where to stay: you can diversify your vacation with an interesting excursion program and enjoy the delights of national cuisine at the resort
Sopron town(Sopron) is located 220 km west of Budapest, near the Austrian border (Distance from the city to the border - 6 km, to Vienna - 60 km). The population of the city is about 56,500 people.
Sopron is the richest Hungarian city with architectural monuments, awarded in 1975 with the Europa Nostra Prize. Due to its territorial position, Sopron is practically the only city that has fully preserved its architectural heritage.
Sopron's story:
On the territory of Sopron, even in the Roman period, there was a city of Skarbantia, which lies on the amber trade route: the amber mined on the Baltic shores was transported by merchants to the countries of southern Europe. After the collapse of the empire, the city was ravaged and rebuilt again after the arrival of the Hungarians.
In the 11th century, the city walls and the castle were erected on the preserved Roman foundations. The city got its name from one of the owners of the castle. The first written mention of the name Sopron was recorded in 1153.
In the 13th century, Sopron received the status of a free royal city.
In the 16th century, during the Turkish invasion, the city was plundered by the Turkish army, but the Turks were unable to gain control over Sopron. A large number of refugees flocked to the city, thanks to which the city grew. In 1676, Sopron burned down in a severe fire. And within several decades it was rebuilt again, as a result it acquired that unique appearance, which has been almost intact to our time.
After the First World War and the collapse of Austria-Hungary, Sopron was to go to Austria. Hungary refused to hand over the city and in 1921 a referendum was held. 65% of the votes were for the city to remain in Hungary.
Sopron attractions:
Historic city center- is a well-preserved monument of the urban planning of the 16-18 centuries. Most of the buildings are built in the Baroque style.
Fire tower- originally the tower was built in the 11th century, then it was rebuilt several times. The height of the tower is 60 meters, earlier it was used as intended by firefighters, now there is a museum and an observation deck in the tower. Having overcome 200 steps up the spiral staircase upward, you will have a stunning view of the historical part of the city. In a 1921 referendum on the redistribution of borders after the First World War, the inhabitants of the city decided to leave Sopron in Hungary. In honor of this, the tower has been installed the "Gate of Faithfulness", decorated with the motto "Civitas Fidelissima" ("most faithful citizens").
Address: Sopron, Fő tér 1
central square(Fő tér) - surrounded by old houses, most of which are valuable architectural monuments: Shtorno House, General's House, Gambrinus House. Currently, they house museums.
Plague Column(Column of the Holy Trinity) - located in the center of the main square, built in 1680. According to legend, it was installed by a resident of Sopron, Janos Jacob Levenburg, in memory of his wife, who died during the plague.
City History Museum- also located in the central square. The expositions of the museum are devoted to the history of the city of the 17-18 centuries.
Dominican Church- was originally built in the Gothic style at the end of the 13th century. Due to repeated reconstructions, there are now more baroque features in the appearance of the church than gothic ones.
Church of St. George- built in the 17-18 centuries. The bell tower was erected in 1882.
Old synagogue- built in 1379, is one of the oldest synagogues in Central Europe.
Address: Sopron, Új u. 22.
Bakery- the only museum-bakery in the country. It is located on Bécsi utca 5, in a building with lions resting their paws on a dumpling. From 1686 to 1970, the house belonged to a baker's family, then a museum was opened here. There is a real bakery in the museum, where you can see how bread is made, there is also a pastry shop and a shop where you can buy and taste all this.
Sopron University of Forestry and Forestry- founded in 1808 and is one of the largest educational institutions in Europe.
- the largest and most beautiful palace in the country, which was called the "Hungarian Versailles". Located 20 km from Sopron, in a place called Fertőd.
How to get there:
From Budapest to Sopron there is a train from the eastern station (Keleti pályaudvar), travel time from 2.5 hours.
Sopron is a beautiful city, an open-air museum, located 220 km from the capital, and only 6 km from the Austrian border. A small rivulet Ikva flows through Sopron and flows into Lake Fertö. The city center has been preserved in the form in which it was built in the 16th-18th centuries.
The 13th century neo-Renaissance fire tower (Tűztorony) rises in the center of Sopron. It is a 58-meter white building with a clock, an observation deck and a double-headed eagle on a spire; with a spiral staircase of two hundred steps. The building was erected on a Roman foundation. Under the tower there is an arched "Gate of Faithfulness", built in memory of the 1921 referendum.
On the main square of Sopron stands a masterpiece of the Hungarian Baroque - the plague column (Szentháromság-szobor) dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It was installed in 1680 at the expense of the patron Janos Jacob Levenburg in honor of his wife, Eva, who died of the plague.
Behind the plague pillar is a Gothic temple from 1280 - Dominican Church Assumption of the Virgin(Nagyboldogasszony templom), popularly called the Goat Church (Kecske-templom). Three rulers of the country were crowned here. The interior of the temple is more beautiful than the external architecture. Interesting frescoes and picturesque ornaments, vaulted mosaic windows and a Christian pulpit.
The Storno-ház is an old yellow Baroque mansion with a bay window, built in 1417. His owner collected objects of applied art all his life: unique antique furniture, stained-glass windows, religious objects, glass and porcelain items. Now all these items are the basis of the exposition of the Ferenc Shtorno Museum.
There is another beautiful mansion nearby - the house of Gambrinus (Gambrinus-ház) (1422). Its façade combines several architectural styles: it has features of Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo. Previously, this building housed the city hall.
General's house
The Town Hall (Városháza) of Sopron was built in 1896 on the site of a demolished 15th century town hall. Beautiful carved doors have been preserved from the medieval building; the new town hall was built in an eclectic style.
Archaeological Park Skarbantia
Behind the Town Hall is the archaeological park of the ancient Roman city of Scarbantia. In 1893, excavations were carried out here, fragments of the first Roman fort were discovered. Most of the finds were transferred to the city museums, but the ruins of the fortress remained in place and are available for inspection.
Church of St. George (Szent György-templom) - originally Gothic, rebuilt into Baroque. The 55-meter bell tower was erected in 1882. The church was built for Protestants, but in 1674 it was handed over to the Jesuit order.
The old synagogue of Sopron (Soproni ózsinagóga) has existed since 1379.
Urshuli and Section squares
It is worth visiting the Ursolya tér and Széchenyi tér squares - their ensemble also consists entirely of historical buildings.
The Dominican Church (Domonkos templom) on Szechenyi Square was built in the 13th century in the Gothic style, but after reconstruction it acquired baroque features.
In the Church of St. Michael (Szent Mihály-templom) you will see a masterpiece of wooden art, the statue of the Virgin Mary.
Museums
There is a special museum street in the city - Tserkovnaya (Templom utca), where museums follow one another. What museums are worth visiting?
Hall Kaptalan
Káptalan-terem is located in the building of the once Franciscan, and now Benedictine monastery. This is the most valuable monument of the 13th century history with pompous decoration, sculptures and wall paintings.
State Evangelical Museum
It is open at the priest's house.
Franz Liszt Cultural Center
Liszt Ferenc Konferencia és Kulturális Központ, the great composer was born on the outskirts of Sopron.
City History Museum
It houses exhibitions dedicated to the XII-XVIII centuries.
Központi Bányászati Múzeum, opened in the former Esterhazy mansion. It demonstrates working models that tell about the development of the mining industry, as well as works of fine and applied art on this topic.
Museum-Bakery
The Pékmúzeum is located at 5 Beči Street. A baker used to live here, but now a museum. Visitors are shown not only interesting exhibits, but also how bread is baked. Those interested can buy flavored pastries at the local pastry shop.
The university
Sopron is home to the Forestry and Forestry University, founded in 1808. Today it is one of the largest educational institutions in Europe.
A bit of history
The area where modern Sopron is located has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The Romans founded their city here - Scarbantia (because the legendary Amber Trade Route, connecting Southern Europe with the Baltic shores passed here), which disappeared after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Hungarian Sopron was formed in the XI century, by the will of King Istvan I. Documentary mention of Sopron first occurs in 1153. It became a free city in the 13th century; in 1529 it was first plundered by the Turks, but not captured. In 1676, the city burned down, but it was rebuilt in several decades. Until the beginning of the 20th century, Sopron flourished. After the collapse of Austria-Hungary, according to the decision of a popular referendum, it remained part of the Hungarian state.
In the post-war period, a lot of work was carried out in Sopron to preserve and restore historical monuments. Most of the buildings in the old center were built in the Habsburg Baroque style, but masterpieces from earlier eras have also remained in the city.
Festivals and Holidays
The Sopron Festival season opens in May with the Ízutazás Wine and Gastronomy Festival.
In summer, themed holiday weeks are held in Sopron with folklore programs, festivities and fairs. Concerts and exhibitions are constantly replacing each other.
At the end of September, the city noisily celebrates the festival of young wine "kekfrankosh" - the Suret carnival. People of different nationalities living in Sopron wear folk costumes. Vendors offer painted gingerbread, traditional sweets and Hungarian delicacies; wine flows like a river.
What to see in the vicinity
20 kilometers from Sopron is the "Hungarian Versailles" - the palace of the princes of Esterhazy - a grandiose baroque complex with a park, built in 1763–67.
Not far from the city, there is a national park - the Fertő-Hanság nature conservation area with an area of more than 23 thousand hectares, with Lake Fert, which has the status of a biosphere reserve. The unique natural site is included in the UNESCO list.
Climbers can climb the Lőverek hills south of the city. Above the top of one of the Levorek hills, the Karoi observation tower rises.
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