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 jewelboxes 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.
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.
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Sopron
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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.
The Town Of Museums
In this lovely town you can find as good as everything. The most important points of attraction are the atmospheric street lines of the downtown, creating the air of history, the architectural rarities built in Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles, the historical monuments, and the local culture.
Besides the marvellous buildings of the past, the little curved streets, the medieval atmosphere of the squares, the walls of the town which come to be seen every here and there, the delicately fashioned balconies, and the arched gateways with their Gothic sediles, a certain village atmosphere is also represented in some quarters of the city, with cheerfully inviting wine cellars.
In 1975 Sopron received a European gold medal for monument protection, with good reason since regarding the number of architectural monuments it is today the second richest city of Hungary. Due to the beauty of its buildings and the spectacular collections of its museums, Sopron has earned the title 'museum town' or 'the town of museums'. One of the oldest museums of Hungary (founded in 1867) offers a venue for several permanent exhibitions, which attract a large number of visitors year by year. The care of the past is also testified by the existence of numerous public and private collections. However, the historical city center is today filled with cheerful and sparkling life.
Green Sopron
Sopron and its natural environment - the Sopron Hills with the valley of the Rák Brook and the Balf Hills with Lake Fertő - create a unique and harmonious landscape.
Creeks, gentle slopes, marked hiking routes, friendly picnic areas, more than forty springs, twenty brooks, seven lakes, five lookout towers, and thousand other surprises await the nature-lovers who seek relaxation. Sopron’s pleasant climate of subalpine character is famous for its health-giving quality, and has a beneficial effect on guests and patients in need of regeneration. The beauty of forest fruits, mushrooms and flowers, combined with the characteristic whispers and noises of the woods provides a permanent source of delight.
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.
