Near the Austrian border in Hungary lies the stunning town of Sopron. Surrounded by numerous vineyards and the pine forests of Leverek, it attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

Besides its ancient vineyards, Sopron is known for its architectural and cultural monuments, introducing tourists to the history of this region.

A settlement arose on this site during the Roman era. After the fall of the empire, the city was completely devastated and destroyed. The settlement began to be rebuilt after the Hungarians came to power. In the eleventh century, fortification walls began to be built along the border for protection. A large castle was also built during this time. The owner of the fortress was Sopron, after whom the city was named.

Sopron is home to the magnificent Esterházy Palace. A beautiful fountain with stone dolphins and cherubs stands in front of the central entrance. The palace has over one hundred and twenty rooms.

A unique feature of the Esterházy Palace was the diversity of its rooms; no two rooms were identical in design. The palace floor is covered with marble tiles, and the ceiling is painted with scenes from ancient legends and myths. On the ceiling of the ceremonial hall is a huge fresco depicting Apollo tearing through the air on his chariot.

The Church of St. George is the main shrine in Sopron. Construction began in the 1380s and lasted fifty years. The building is in the Gothic style. After the church came under Jesuit control, two chapels were added to the side of the building. And in the early 18th century, the church was decorated with stucco ornamentation characteristic of the Baroque style.

Although Sopron is part of Hungary, the best way to get here is from Vienna, Austria. The distance between the cities is only sixty kilometers, while Budapest is over two hundred.