The best city hikes and walks in the Burgenland

The Mattersburg Cemetery, where approximately 1,500 people are buried, has existed since 1694 and is an important testament to Jewish life in the region. During the Nazi era, almost all gravestones were removed, leaving a painful gap in the history of the Jewish community. After 1945, a memorial wall was erected from the surviving gravestone fragments, commemorating the lost graves. Later, symbolic gravestones supplemented this reminder. The Jewish Museum in Eisenstadt has created a register of individuals buried in the cemetery, offering valuable insights into the people interred there. The cemetery is currently locked, but the key can be obtained from the municipality. Guided tours are offered by appointment, gently familiarizing visitors with the history and significance of this sacred site. The Mattersburg Cemetery stands as a silent monument to the region's Jewish history and cultural heritage.

The figures on the pedestal of the Plague Column in Mattersburg depict the four plague saints, who were venerated in the Middle Ages as patron saints against devastating epidemics. St. Sebastian is traditionally depicted as a martyr pierced by arrows and is considered one of the most important patron saints against epidemics. Beside him stands St. Roch, usually recognizable by his pilgrim's robe and the plague boil on his thigh, accompanied by his faithful dog, who brings him food. St. Barbara can be recognized by her attributes, such as a tower or a chalice; she protects the dying and preserves from sudden death. Finally, St. Mary Magdalene appears as a penitent saint, often with an ointment jar or a skull, indicating transience. These figures symbolize protection and hope in times of plague-related hardship and are a central part of the artistic design of the Mattersburg Plague Column.

The stone sarcophagus shown was discovered in the 1960s in the municipality of Podersdorf am See. It originally dates from the Roman era (from the Gruibert area in nearby Winden am See) and today serves as a presented historical monument in Podersdorf. Such massive stone cist finds, together with Roman-era burial grounds and farmsteads, prove the early settlement and use of the Seewinkel region within the sphere of influence of the Roman Empire.

PODObeach in Podersdorf am See is the largest and most extensive lido on Lake Neusiedl and offers a diverse range of leisure activities with its sections for water sports enthusiasts, families, and those seeking relaxation. The facility's defining landmark is the approximately twelve-meter-high, red-and-white striped lighthouse on the main jetty, which serves as a signal and storm warning system and is one of the region's most famous photographic motifs. As the only place on the lake with barrier-free, reed-free access to the water, the area attracts both active sports enthusiasts like kitesurfers and day-trippers for picturesque sunsets.

The depicted stone sarcophagus was discovered in the 1960s in the municipal area of Podersdorf am See. It originally dates from the Roman era (from the Gruibert area in nearby Winden am See) and today serves as a presented historical monument in Podersdorf. Such massive stone cist finds, together with Roman-era burial grounds and farmsteads, attest to the early settlement and use of the Seewinkel within the sphere of influence of the Roman Empire.

The Gasthaus zur Dankbarkeit is a traditional establishment in the center of Podersdorf am See, run by the Lentsch family for four generations. It is characterized by fine Pannonian and regional cuisine, appreciated by guides such as Michelin and Gault&Millau. The offer is rounded off by its own winery with a well-stocked wine list, a shady guest garden, and an adjoining wine tavern and rooms for overnight guests.

The Platz der Champions (Place of Champions) is located directly on the promenade in Podersdorf am See, near the shore of Lake Neusiedl. It serves as a kind of regional "Walk of Fame", where successful athletes – including Olympic champions and local world-class athletes – are honored with handprints and engravings. Furthermore, the square is a very popular starting point for walks, runs, and cycling and hiking excursions in the surrounding Neusiedler See – Seewinkel National Park.

The Walk of Fame is located at the Champions Square near the lido in Podersdorf am See, directly in front of the well-known lighthouse. On this square, successful athletes – such as Olympic and World Champions from water sports – immortalize themselves with their handprints in star-shaped plaques in the ground. In addition to honoring regional and international champions, the area on the promenade serves as a popular meeting point for events, strolling walkers, and excursionists in the Seewinkel.