Eisenstadt: The Heartbeat of Austrian History and Culture

• HelloServus
  [sair-voos]
• GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen
  [ouf vee-der-zay-en]
• YesJa
  [yah]
• NoNein
  [nine]
• Please/You're welcomeBitte
  [bit-te]
• Thank youDanke
  [dahn-keh]
• Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung
  [ent-shool-dee-goong]
• How are you?Wie geht es dir?
  [vee gayt es deer]
• Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?
  [goot oont deer]
• Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
  [shpre-khen zee eng-leesh]
• I don't understandIch verstehe nicht
  [eekh fer-shtay-e nikt]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch hätte gerne die Speisekarte, bitte
  [eekh het-eh gair-ne dee shpy-ze-kar-te, bit-te]
• I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch
  [eekh es-se kine fleysh]
• Cheers!Prost!
  [prohst]
• I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bezahlen, bitte
  [eekh merkh-te beh-zah-len, bit-te]

• Help!Hilfe!
  [heel-feh]
• Go away!Geh weg!
  [gey vegg]
• Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei!
  [roo-fen zee dee po-lee-tsay]
• Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
  [roo-fen zee i-nen ahrts]
• I'm lostIch bin verloren
  [eekh been fer-loh-ren]
• I'm illIch bin krank
  [eekh been krank]

• I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...
  [eekh merkh-te kou-fen]
• I'm just lookingIch schaue nur
  [eekh show-eh noor]
• How much is it?Wie viel kostet das?
  [vee feel kohs-tet dahs]
• That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer
  [dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
• Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?
  [ker-nen zee den preys zehn-ken]

• What time is it?Wie spät ist es?
  [vee shpet ist es]
• It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr
  [es ist iyn oor]
• Half past (10)Halb elf
  [halb elf]
• MorningMorgen
  [mohr-gen]
• AfternoonNachmittag
  [nahkh-mit-tahk]
• EveningAbend
  [ah-bent]
• YesterdayGestern
  [gey-shtern]
• TodayHeute
  [hoy-te]
• TomorrowMorgen
  [mohr-gen]
• 1Eins
  [eyns]
• 2Zwei
  [tsvay]
• 3Drei
  [dry]
• 4Vier
  [feer]
• 5Fünf
  [foonf]
• 6Sechs
  [zeks]
• 7Sieben
  [zee-ben]
• 8Acht
  [ahkt]
• 9Neun
  [noyn]
• 10Zehn
  [tsayn]

• Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?
  [vo ist iyn/dehr]
• What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?
  [vas ist dee ah-dre-seh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?
  [ker-nen zee meer tsai-gen (ouf dehr kar-teh)]
• When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?
  [vann komt dehr nakh-steh (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)
  [i-ne fahr-kar-te (nahkh ....)]

Eisenstadt, located at the foot of the Leitha Mountains, has a rich history dating back to the early Middle Ages. The first documented mention of Eisenstadt appears in a 1264 record, although archaeological findings suggest that the area was settled much earlier. Over time, it developed from a small settlement into a significant market town.

The Esterházy family, one of the most prominent noble families in Hungary, played a crucial role in the history of Eisenstadt. In 1622, Nikolaus Esterházy acquired the town, and it became the administrative center of their vast estates. The family’s influence is most evident in the grandiose Esterházy Palace, which transformed Eisenstadt into an important cultural hub.

Eisenstadt is synonymous with the name Joseph Haydn, the celebrated composer who spent over four decades in the service of the Esterházy family. Haydn's association with the town began in 1761, and during his tenure, he composed numerous works that are still celebrated today. The annual Haydn Festival and the Haydn House museum are testaments to his enduring legacy in Eisenstadt.

Eisenstadt is home to several significant religious and cultural landmarks. The Bergkirche, or 'Haydn Church,' with its striking hilltop location, contains Haydn's mausoleum. The Franciscan Church, dating back to the 14th century, and the Jewish Museum, which chronicles the history of the Jewish community in Burgenland, are also noteworthy.

In the 20th century, Eisenstadt became the capital of the newly established federal state of Burgenland in 1925. Post-World War II, the town saw significant growth and modernization. Today, Eisenstadt is a vibrant city that blends its rich historical heritage with contemporary cultural offerings, making it a fascinating destination for visitors.

Eisenstadt is located in the Burgenland region of Austria, approximately 60 kilometers south of Vienna. The nearest major airport is Vienna International Airport (VIE). From the airport, you can take a train or a bus to Eisenstadt. The journey by train typically takes around 1.5 hours, with a transfer at Vienna's main train station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). Alternatively, you can rent a car at the airport and drive to Eisenstadt, which takes approximately 45 minutes.

Eisenstadt is compact and many attractions are within walking distance. The city also has a reliable public bus system. Taxis are available, and car rentals are an option if you plan to explore the surrounding areas. For those interested in cycling, bike rentals are available and the city is bike-friendly with several dedicated lanes.

The official currency in Austria is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for small purchases or in more rural areas. ATMs are readily available throughout Eisenstadt.

Eisenstadt is generally a very safe city for tourists. Standard precautions should be taken, such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night and keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific neighborhoods with high crime rates targeting tourists.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Eisenstadt. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are several pharmacies in the city where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress comfortably but modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid overly casual attire in upscale restaurants. Religion: Do respect local customs, particularly in churches. Avoid loud conversations and dress modestly. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a firm handshake. A polite 'Grüß Gott' (God bless) is a common greeting. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes and wines. Don't leave a tip out of the bill; it's customary to round up the amount or leave a small tip in cash.

To experience Eisenstadt like a local, visit the local markets and buy fresh produce and traditional goods. Engage with locals; they are generally friendly and willing to share stories about their city. Don't miss visiting the Esterházy Palace and taking a stroll through its beautiful gardens. For a unique experience, attend a classical music concert, as Eisenstadt has a rich musical heritage tied to composer Joseph Haydn.