FREISTADT RUST – UNIQUE SPOT IN THE REGION OF LAKE NEUSIEDL

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.