Sopron - the city of LEF2010

Sopron is situated near the western borders of Hungary, at the foot of the Alps, 60 km from Vienna and 220 km from Budapest. It is one of the oldest jewel boxes of the country. Sopron merges past and present in itself. It creates a bridge between Hungary and its western neighbours, opening a gate for foreign guests visiting Hungary, as it is symbolized by the coat of arms of the city.

Sopron is also known as the “Loyal City – Civitas Fidelissima”, because in the referendum held in 1921 as part of the Trianon Peace Settlement, its citizens voted for the city to remain a part of Hungary.

The inhabitants of the city are famed for their hospitality and loyalty to their hometown. This is also symbolized by the 'Gate of Faith', which can be found on the southern side of the Firewatch Tower, the symbol of the city, and which was made in memory of the referendum of 1921.

In terms of its historic buildings, Sopron is the second richest city in Hungary. The City Hall was built in 1896, in the year of the Hungarian Millennium. Opposite it, the Stornó House is one of the most well-known buildings of the city, thanks to its highly interesting collection. Even King Matthias stayed overnight between these walls. The Goat Church provided a venue for coronations and parliamentary sessions. The Holy Trinity Statue is a masterpiece of the Hungarian baroque, while the neo-gothic Ursuline Church is one of the most impressive architectural monuments of the past century. Várkerület was built along the former moat, its inner row of houses following the line of the castle wall. A gem of Várkerület is the Maria Statue.

The artistic traditions of the city are nearly seventy years old, and go back to a time which is often referred to as the golden age of the city.

The curative and recreating air of the natural environment, the hiking routes of the wooded hillsides, the view towers, the mountain springs, and the proximity of Lake Fertő make Sopron one of the most beautiful and most pleasant holiday resorts of Hungary.

The Löverek, the hilly area south of the city, is the most fascinating and most distinguished recovery area of the city. Calm forests with spruces, oaks and chestnuts, lilies of the valley and cyclamens, hiking paths and lookout towers - these are the attractions of the Löverek.

Another attraction of the historic town of Sopron is represented by the excellent wines of the region, so the city is becoming increasingly popular among those who would like to satisfy their thirst with noble wines.

On August 19th every year, the meeting of European nations takes place in Sopronpuszta, at the scene of the border breakthrough in 1989. The events of the time and the Government decision of September 10th to open the border brought about the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany. On special anniversaries, the event, which is aimed to popularize the idea of a common Europe without frontiers, is closed with a concert in the Cave Theatre of Fertőrákos. The metal sculpture in the stone quarry symbolizes the 'iron curtain' – a work by Gabriela von Habsburg –, drawing visitors’ attention to the importance of this historic event like an exclamation mark. 

In the western garden suburbs lurks a bizarre "Fool's Castle" (Taródi-vár), built by a local eccentric since the middle of 20th century – however it is still being built. The castle comes complete with all the prerequisites for a fairy tale; dark stone passageways, stained-glass windows covered in vines, torturous rope bridges, terraces, and bastions, and it is still inhabited by his descendants. All except for the fact that this ancient crumbling stone castle it didn't exist before 1952.