Sopron

Sopron is a city in Hungary located right on the border with Austria. It is close to a beautiful lake called Lake Neusiedl/Fertő, which is shared by both countries. The city has a rich history and is known for its unique mix of Hungarian and German culture. People in Sopron often speak both languages, making it a special place where two cultures meet. Today, Sopron is a lively city where history and modern life come together.

History

Ancient times-13th century

In ancient times, near Sopron there was a settlement on a hilltop with a place for burying people. When the Romans ruled this area, a city named Scarbantia stood here. Today, the main square of Sopron is where the Roman city's important meeting place once was.

When the Hungarians arrived, they found the city in ruins but built walls around it and a castle. The city was named after a castle worker called Suprun. Sopron became an important city early on and was given special status by a king in 1273.

16th-19th centuries

When Ottoman forces moved through Hungary, they damaged Sopron but did not take it over. Many people moved there to stay safe, and the city grew in importance. A big fire in 1676 destroyed much of the city, but new buildings were constructed in the following years. By the middle of the 19th century, Sopron was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

20th century to present

After a large empire broke apart, Sopron held a vote in 1921 and chose to stay with Hungary. During World War II, the city was bombed but was later taken by Soviet forces in 1945.

In 1989, Sopron became an important place when people from East Germany used a border crossing there to escape to the West, which helped lead to big changes in Europe. Today, Sopron benefits from being close to the European Union and attracts many visitors, especially for affordable dental care.

Wine production

Sopron is an important place for making wine in Hungary. It is one of the few areas in the country that makes both red and white wines. Popular grapes used there include Kékfrankos for red wine and Traminer (Gewürztraminer) for white wine. The climate in Sopron is similar to the nearby wine region in Austria called Burgenland, and some winemakers create wine in both places. Well-known wines from Sopron include Blue Frankish (also called Kékfrankos or Blaufränkisch), Traminer, and Green Veltliner (Zöld Veltelini or Grüner Veltliner). The Blue Frankish and Pinot Noir wines from Sopron are especially valued.

Demographics

Sopron is a city with a rich history of different cultures living together. In 1910, about half of the people were German and most were Hungarian. By 2001, most people were Hungarian. The main religions in the city have been Catholic and Lutheran, with some people following other beliefs or having no specific religion.

Architecture

The old part of Sopron has buildings that show its long history. You can see walls and foundations from the Roman Empire, along with many beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings, often decorated with art.

The town also has an old synagogue and other reminders of its former Jewish community. On Daloshegy hill, there is a tall broadcasting tower, about 165 metres high, called "Rakéta," which means "rocket" in Hungarian.

Places of interest

Sopron has many interesting places to see. You can visit the city centre, the Firewatch Tower, and walls that date back to Roman times.

Other notable spots include Széchenyi Square with the Flag of Loyalty, Kecske Church, and the beautiful Esterházy Palace. You might also want to see the Eggenberg House, the historic City Hall from 1895, and Storno House in renaissance style. Don’t miss the Chemist's Museum, which is in a house declared Hungary’s first national monument in 1525 by King Louis II. There are also many old houses like the Fabricius House, the “Two Moors” House, and Taródi Castle, which was built by István Taródi when he was just 20 years old in 1945.

Amusement

Sopron holds several fun events throughout the year. In September 2010, it hosted the Cartoon Forum from Tuesday, September 14, to Friday, September 17. Other yearly celebrations include the Spring Festival of Sopron and the Festal Weeks of Sopron. The city also has special places like the Civitas Basement Theater and the Franz Liszt Conference and Cultural Centre.

Politics

The current mayor of Sopron is Ciprián Farkas, who is part of the Fidesz-KDNP party.

The local Municipal Assembly was elected during the 2024 local government elections. It has 18 members, including 1 mayor, 12 representatives from individual constituencies, and 5 representatives from a compensation list. They belong to different political parties and alliances.

Sports

Sopron has a very successful women's basketball team called Sopron Basket. They have won 15 National titles and even won the EuroLeague in the 2021–22 season. There was also a football team in Sopron named MFC Sopron, and now the team is called Soproni VSE.

Transport

Sopron's closest airport is Vienna Airport, which is about 74 kilometers or 46 miles north of the city.

Notable residents

See also: Category:People from Burgenland

Sopron has been home to many famous people throughout history. Some well-known individuals from the city include Rogerius of Apulia, a medieval writer, and Franz Liszt, a famous composer. Other notable figures are Ludwig von Benedek, an Austrian general, and Béla Bartók, a famous Hungarian composer.

The city also saw the birth of Tímea Babos, a successful tennis player, and Botond Balogh, a talented football player. Many more influential people in various fields have lived and made their mark in Sopron.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Hungary

Sopron has many friends in other countries. It is twinned with:

• Bad Wimpfen, Germany
• Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia
• Bolzano, Italy
• Eilat, Israel
• Eisenstadt, Austria
• Kazuno, Japan
• Kempten, Germany
• Mediaș, Romania
• Rorschach, Switzerland
• Seinäjoki, Finland
• Sparta, Greece