eisenstadt

Eisenstadt (Hungarian Kismarton, Croatian eljezno) is a city in Austria, the state capital of Burgenland. It has a population of about 11,334 (2001). The present city name means "Iron City". The Hungarian name was a diminutive of "Saint Martin". In the Habsburg monarchy, Eisenstadt/Kismarton was the seat of the Esterhzy noble family. The composer Franz Josef Haydn lived there as Hofkapellmeister under Esterhzy patronage.

Geography

Eisenstadt lies on a plain leading down to the river Wulka, at the south foot of the mountain range known as the Leithagebirge. The city is divided into four districts:

Oberberg
Unterberg
Kleinhflein
St. Georgen

History

Archeological finds prove that the Eisenstadt area was already settled in the Hallstatt period. Celts and Romans settled somewhat later. At the time of migration different Germanic tribes and the Huns settled in the area. Around 800, in the reign of Charlemagne, settlement by the Bavarii began. Eisenstadt is first recorded in 1118 as "castrum ferrum". The first written mention took place 1264 as "minor Mortin" (matching the Hungarian name "Kismarton"). In 1373 the town came into the possession of the Kanizsai family, who rebuilt the walls. The name "Eysenstat" (later Eisenstadt; Eisen, iron, connoting the strength of the walls) originates from this time. In 1388 Eisenstadt was given the right to hold a market. In 1445 Archduke Albert VI acquired the town, which remained under Habsburg rule for the next 150 years. In 1529 and 1532 the Ottoman Empire conquered Eisenstadt with their advance on the city of Vienna (see Ottoman wars in Europe). In 1648, it passed under the rule of the Esterhzy family. Extensive construction during the rule of these Hungarian princes permanently changed the face of the city. The appointment of Franz Josef Haydn a the prince's Hofkapellmeister (high chapel master, composing and performing music) began the great artistic period in the city's history. Haydn is buried in Eisenstadt, and is also commemmorated there by a museum and an annual festival, the Haydnfestspiele. In 1809, Eisenstadt was occupied by French troops during the Napoleonic Wars; in 1897, it was joined to the railway network. After the end of World War I, there was a three-year struggle for the future status of the Burgenland and, therefore, of Eisenstadt. In 1921, by the Treaty of Saint-Germain. Burgenland became part of Austria rather than Hungary. Since 30 April 1925, Eisenstadt is seat of the Burgenland state government and thus the state capital. During World War II, Eisenstadt was heavily bombarded. In 1945, it was occupied by the Red Army, and the city remained until 1955 under Soviet occupation. In 1960, Eisenstadt became the see of its own Roman Catholic diocese.