FREISTADT RUST – UNIQUE SPOT IN THE REGION OF LAKE NEUSIEDL
REPEATEDLY VOTED MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY OF BURGENLAND
Freistadt Rust has approximately 2,000 inhabitants and is the smallest city in Austria with its own city statute. In 1317, there was the first documentary mention of Rust. In 1470, it acquired the right to hold markets and in 1524, the citizens gained the privilege to burn the letter “R” into their wine barrels. In 1681, the citizens of Rust managed to buy themselves off (they paid 60,000 golden guldens and 500 buckets which is equivalent to 30,000 liters of wine, a sweet wine made from the variety Furmint).
Rust is embedded between the vineyards Ruster Hügelland and Lake Neusiedl. It is famous for its picturesque ensemble of lovingly preserved town houses that were built between the 16th and 19th century in the center of the town. In 1975, Freistadt Rust, protected by the Hague Convention and repeatedly voted most beautiful city of Burgenland, got elected model city of monument preservation. There are numerous valuable buildings worth protecting, like for instance the three churches, city hall, the Seehof, the Powder Tower or the old watchman´s house. All this and the numerous stork´s nests on the rooftops give Rust its unique flair.
A visit to the Fishermen’s Church after breakfast, an afternoon by the water and an evening at a local wine tavern. When you stay at HOTEL SCHANDL ***S, it all starts right on Rathausplatz. From our historic townhouse, you can explore Rust’s old town on foot.
A stroll through Rust’s old town
Start at the Fishermen’s Church at the upper end of Rathausplatz. As you wander through the lanes, you’ll pass townhouses with Renaissance and Baroque façades. In spring and summer, look up at the chimneys, where Rust’s storks raise their young. For an evening out, head to the Mörbisch Lake Festival or the opera at the St. Margarethen quarry.
Explore culture in Rust and around Lake Neusiedl
Where to taste local wines
Visit the wineries and wine shops in the old town to try Ruster Ausbruch DAC. Sweet winemaking has been part of Rust’s history for centuries. If you’d like to end the day with a glass of wine and a light meal, the local wine taverns are within walking distance of the hotel.
Walk to the harbour or cycle along the lake
From Rathausplatz, you can walk to Rust’s harbour. For a swim, head to the lakeside lido in Rust Bay. To explore more of the western shore, follow the B10 Lake Neusiedl Cycle Route towards Mörbisch. After your ride, you can store your bike at the hotel.
Explore cycling routes around Rust
Stay on Rathausplatz
Our guest rooms and suites are in the heart of Rust’s historic old town. Breakfast is included in your stay and we serve it at your table. Weather permitting, you can have breakfast on the terrace overlooking Rathausplatz.
Modellstadt der Denkmalpflege
STORKS & WINE
Apart from the storks, that stay from the middle of March until the middle of August, wine growing has been a distinctive part of Freistadt Rust for centuries. The wine growers are still engaged in wine growing that is rich in tradition and has been pursued for generations. The basis for a variety of wine that rare is the unique microclimate of Lake Neusiedl, the different soil structures and the altitudes of the vineyards.
CULINARY TREATS
Rust has more than 40 restaurants which shows its culinary variety. They range from down-to-earth wine taverns to exclusive gourmet restaurants. The restaurant owners in Rust are provided with a rich selection of regional ingredients of the region Lake Neusiedl, accompanied by the wines of the wine growers of Rust of course.
