centrope region centrope partners

Austria • Federal Province of [email protected] Brno • Federal Province of Lower www.centrope.com • Federal Province and City of • City of Jižní Morava • City of St.Pölten

Czech Republic • • City of Brno Trnava • Vysočina Region (observer) Niederösterreich Trnava • Győr-Moson- County St. Pölten Wien Bratislava • • City of Győr • City of Sopron • City of Szombathely Eisenstadt Legal notice: Published by the centrope agency on behalf Sopron Győr • Bratislava Self-Governing Region of the centrope capacity partnership. Győr-Moson-Sopron • Trnava Self-Governing Region • City of Bratislava Design&Layout: • City of Trnava www.TOPVISION.sk Burgenland Supported by funds of the European Pictures: Szombathely Union, programme centrope agency Vas

discover europe discover centrope discover europe discover centrope

The , Hungary, Austria and Slovakia are four countries that make up the heart of Europe. A shared history has naturally brought them together in the Central European region - centrope, which is incredibly varied and full of contrasts. The beautiful natural environment in the region’s national parks is combined with a wealth of rivers, lakes and thermal springs, as well as vast, sun-kissed vineyards, orchards and fields of sunflowers. This natural environment allows for leisure activities and family outings. As you walk through the centrope region, the common history of the old noble families who left behind magnificent mansions and castles - now used as unique cultural centres - oozes out with every step. Culture comes alive in all the region’s cities. Throughout the year you will find a wide range of cultural events, modern art and folk traditions. Perhaps the region’s most typical feature is the “Central European flavour” that attracts and delights every visitor. The atmosphere of cellars filled with excellent wines, the aroma of cafes with their characteristic strudel, and traditional gastronomic specialities served in high-quality restaurants will leave you with unforgettable memories. When in Europe, discover centrope.

Contents

Meet Nature. Meet centrope. 4 Meet Art And T radition. Meet centrope. 9 Experience Europe. Experience centrope. 14 Taste Europe. Taste centrope. 19 meet nature meet centrope apricots (Burgenland, Austria). Austria). apricots (Burgenland, of cherries and Fields and meadows dotted provide withfruittrees arich harvest Among these are the multi-award-winning winesfromtheBlueHillsaroundVelké themulti-award-winning Among theseare Pavlovice Czech Republic). (SouthMoravia, The sun-kissed,undulatingslopesstretching perfect are acrossthewholeregion for growing finewines. PHOTO: HerbertSchlosser Fertile vineyards ontheslopes oftheLittleCarpathians (Slovakia). 5

sunny hills covered with fruit trees and viney dsar nature friv ts, lakesorerine es and caves 6 meet nature waterfowl andhometo andfauna. flora endangered the Moravian ahaven andtheDanubefloodplains–are Karst for Morava andtheWhite, CarpathianMountains Biosphere Reserve theLower NationalPark; /Fertő-Hanság(Austria) Nemzeti (Hungary) andprotectednational parks –theLake areas Neusiedl-Seewinkel covered cultivated with carefully vineyards Anumberof andorchards. riverine forestsLarge andlakes blendseamlesslyinto sunnyslopes An acacia-wood watermill environmentofthe Malý Dunaj(LittleDanube)riverTomášikovo nearthevillageof onstiltsinthebeautifulnatural (Slovakia). meet centrope beauty and the diversity of beauty andthediversity in thecentrope region will amazeyou with its its immaculate natural The countryside The countryside environment. and pastures. and pastures. featuresThe Lake seasonalsalinelakes, NationalPark Neusiedl-Seewinkel smallsandy biotopes, mown /Fertő-Hanság meadows (Austria) Nemzeti (Hungary) caves andthesmallPunkva Czech river Republic). (SouthMoravia, The Moravian isasubterranean world Karst thanathousand withmore PHOTO: LLammerhuber Tourismus Lake steppe Neusiedl-thelargest lake Europe(Austria). inCentral PHOTO: ©Burgenland 7

enatur riverine forests, lakes and caves meet artandtradition meet centrope (Slovakia). – art modern of museums European newest the of one is , of centre the from far Not , on a peninsula in the middle of the mighty the of middle the in peninsula a on Bratislava, Danubiana with folk motifs ornamenting the facade andinterior ornamenting thefacade with folk motifs of thebuilding. The Petőfi Theatre inSopron isasuperb example ofArtNouveau style, look ofthecity(Austria). Adolf Loos, Otto Wagner and others active at the turn of the helped century mould the of has architecture the in place (Secession) firm a Nouveau Art buildings, Baroque and Gothic famous its Alongside is inscribedontheUNESCOWorld List. Heritage Cultural and architecture functionalist of examples important most the of one is Rohe, der Villa Tugendhat in Brno (Czech Republic), the work of architect Ludwig Mies van . The work of prominent architects such as as such architects prominent of work The Vienna.

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art modern art and ar ecturechit art majestic castles and palaces 10 at harvest festivals holidays. andonreligious at harvest architects. cometo roleandregularly play Folk animportant andcrafts life, especially duringwinefestivals, traditions functionalist andcontemporary Brno andGyőr,next to buildings,you Gothic and Baroque famous willbe captivated by ofprominentArtNouveau (Secession/Jugendstil), theworks Discover monasteries hiddensecrets behindthewalls ofmajesticcathedrals, and abbeys. Walking throughthecitiesofVienna,Bratislava, meet artandtradition inUpperHungary.families From the16th Kameň Castle(Slovakia) nearModra was owned Červený by andwealthy thePálffys-oneofmostimportant to themiddleof20thcentury Czech Republic). in Znojmo(SouthMoravia, St. Catherine’sRotunda meet centrope the oldaristocratic Esterházy, medieval castlesandopulent palaces where the history of thehistory palaces where Liechtenstein andPálffy footsteps ofknights families comesalive.families and princes.Visit Follow inthe a unique insightintoa unique theonce-opulentlife atthecourtofpowerful princesEsterházy. The an extensive country park. an extensive country palace inValtice theBaroque are , LedniceCastle-inso-calledWindsor Gothic style,and Liechtensteindynasty, 1996.since listedbyUNESCO been has landmarks main area’s The The Esterházy Palace in area (South Moravia, Czech Republic), the former residence of the of residence former the Republic), Czech Moravia, (South area Lednice- Fertőd (Hungary), along (Hungary), with many other castles and houses country in Austria (Forchestein Castle, Lackenbach Palace in Burgenland), provides 11

art majestic castles and palaces art churches and religious buildings 12 Sa Bar Křt hat. coat of armsandamodelcardinal’s the cardinal’s The ntini which isknown as the“Pearl ofMoravia”. Suh oai, zc Rpbi) A lc o plrmg, etrn the featuring pilgrimage, of place A - Republic) Czech Moravia, (South iny oque oque Primate’s Palace in Bratislava (Slovakia), the original seat of the Archbishop of Esztergom, was built by Archbishop and Cardinal Jozef Batthyány, and is crowned with Cathedral of the , Virgin a Mary masterpiece by the architect Jan Blažej for its extensive collection of manuscripts preserved in the monastery library. inthemonastery for itsextensive collectionofmanuscripts preserved The Benedictine Abbey islisted inMelk (Austria) by UNESCOandis renowned PHOTO: Tourismus ©Burgenland (South Moravia, Czech Republic). (South Moravia, of the Kings the are known best The festivals. various at celebrated in life everyday of part crafts are forgotten and customs ancient costumes, Colourful The technique of indigoprintingfrom Burgenland(Austria). in Vlčnov and the and are regularly regularly are and Moravia South Strážnice Folklore Festival Ride mainly with wine festivals, harvest festivals andEaster (Vajnory,mainly withwinefestivals, harvest Slovakia). In West ern Slovakia andthewearing associated, folk ofrichly costumesare embroidered traditions PHOTO: Tourismus ©Burgenland acrossthecentrope region. tradition EasterDecorating eggsisapopularfolk 13

art folk traditions and crafts xeineerp experience centrope experience europe of a spa with golf on courses thatboast beautifulviews. of aspawith golfoncourses cancombinethejoysGolfclub Lengenfeld –golf-lovers (Austria) localspasinHungary. massageatoneofthefamous A relaxing partinavariety ofwater ortaking ontheshore relaxing sports(Austria). Lake atthemanylakes LunzerinLower -findsummerrefreshment , withitsdenseforest Austria panorama you where intheregion, canspendtimeswimming, Lednice spas inSouthMoravia allfamous. are Mosonmagyaróvár and Győr, Piešťany andSmrdáky in Slovakia, andHodonín and springscanbefound throughout thecentropemineral TheRomanbathsinBaden, region. Badener Hof(Lower –sumptuousthermalspas,top Austria) hotels and pleasantlywarm 15

experience rnatur elaxal ation and wellness experience cle tbicy ourism 16 experience europe One oftheseisDonauinsel(DanubeIsland)inVienna,Austria. passes throughGyőr. Itisamongthemostpopularroutes tourists inEuropeandthecentrope avariety itself,andoffers region ofinteresting enroute. attractions The international Danubecyclepath-EuroVelo throughLower andViennato andthen Austria isaround365kmlong.Inthe 6centrope Bratislava itmeanders region countryside. magnificentviewsare ofthesurrounding there or theLittleCarpathians , fromwhere Göstlinger Alpen(GöstlingAlpsinAustria) cantake toProficient riders thehillsin demanding riders. trips withchildren, butwillalsosatisfyeven themost Well-signposted cyclingroutes for family suitable are create theidealconditionsfor hikingandbiking. sites ofcultural andarange Beautiful scenery or white water ontheDanubeitself. rafting You andboaters. for kitesurfing windsurfers aparadise are canalsotry weather conditionsyou canplay almostallyear extensive round.Theregion’s water features by theirspastay Thanksto visitinganearby favourable golfcourse. canvary Golf lovers experience centrope baths andlet your bodyenjoy of world-famous thermalspas, region to escapethedaily grind, relax and recharge. hot mineral springs andmud hot mineral Immerse yourself inanoasis yourself Immerse Come to thecentrope the beneficialeffects. (South Moravia, Czech Republic). (SouthMoravia, Karst One ofseveral perfectly signposted cycling routes willtake you to themostbeautifulplacesinMoravian leading to wineries and wine cellars (Czech Republic). leading to wineriesandwinecellars A specialityofSouthMoravia iswinetourism by bicycle.Cyclingroutes zigzagbetween thevineyards, Győr Beautiful cyclingroutes windthroughthe and ). , SouthMoravia Region, (Bratislava by cyclingroutes intheMorava andDyjeriver valleys for isoffered thewholefamily Pleasant relaxation -Moson-Sopron inHungary. region 17

experience bicycle tourism water and adrenaline s tspor 18 lovers of adrenaline water ofadrenaline lovers sports (Slovakia). The world-class artificial water channel ontheDanubenearČunovo inBratislava for isaparadise (Austria and Hungary) –Anumberoflakes provide idealconditionsfor windsurfing,kitesurfingLake andsailing. andHungary) Neusiedl(Austria Yachtclub Pavlov Czech Republic). (SouthMoravia, Kitesurfing onLake Neusiedl(Austria). PHOTO: Reiger Kerstin PHOTO: NTGKudernatsch taste ofeurope taste ofcentrope t east viniculture and wine fes alstiv 20 Christmas markets inEurope. to experience some ofthemostbeautiful Cometoatmosphere. thecentrope region with theirspecialitiesandunmistakable Christmas markets thecrowds attract ever rolls?DuringAdvent, tasted Bratislava of deliciousapfelstrudel, buthave you you Certainly willhave heard confectioners. variety oflocaldelicaciesoffered by local when itcomesto coffee andthewide dominates anurbanatmosphere By contrast, winter isthetraditional pig-slaughter.attractions oven-roast to goose.Adding thegastronomic an red In t t spoken andsungabout... butmostofalltasted. Inlate comealive throughouttheregion. summerandearlyautumn,thesecelebrations The winefestival Slovakia) inPezinok Region, ofwine.Inthecentrope –Thewinefestival wineiscelebrated, ( blessed,and isthebiggestcelebration aste ofeurope d feasts, andcomplemented by golden, he centrope andaromas-white, you region willfindwinesofmanyflavours , light and full-bodied, dry and semi-dry. Wine here is drunk at large festivals andsemi-dry. isdrunkatlarge Wine here , lightandfull-bodied,dry taste ofcentrope experience often with starts The culinary gastronomy. Theculinary rise to specificregional a visitto asmallstreet traditions hasgiven lined withwine range offolk The wide cellars. potato pancakes (Slovakia). the winefestival periodisundoubtedly roastgoosewith specialtiesduring for ofculinary treat lovers The traditional A spectacular vie A spectacular centrope r Burgenland andLowerKékfrankos , orthefamous Austria fromaround Sopron. (BlueFrankish) Czech Republic). Moravia, (South cellar wine local a in as good as taste wine does Nowhere - cellar wine Solařík Mikulov’s egion -from ZnojmoandPálava, fromaround Pezinok andModra, fromthe sunny slopesof w ofViennafromthenearby vineyards. Enjoy excellent winesfromdifferent parts ofthe aue ie n te on, tl-emnig wine still-fermenting young, known asburčiak. the and wine both mature tasted: is wine local the and doors their open – The is wine the harvest time when local wine cellars A wine A of theCzech Republic. Pálava, Valtice, butalsoother regions superblocalwines fromZnojmo, local harvest: harbourthe Czech –Sumptuous cellars Republic) located inValtice underground (SouthMoravia, The Czech R festival in festival epublic’s NationalWineCentre is Modra

(Bratislava Region, Slovakia) Region, (Bratislava 21

taste viniculture and wine festivals taste local cuisine 22 (Vienna, Austria). Sweet atlocalcafes treats andconfectioners as Heuriger. such venues InAustria canbeeasilyidentified:theyTaste known are restaurants. specialitiesanddrinkexcellent oftraditional winesfromthecellars localculinary PHOTO: Tourismus ©Burgenland hospitality isrenowned beyond far hospitality itsborders. excellent cuisineand traditional Hungary’s Slovakia). rolls (Bratislava, Bratislava to to apricots, plumsand strawberries are there try. make Inaddition fruitdumplings (Lower Austria). Austria, usedto are Apricots and gardens frombountiful orchards pancakes, meat. roastchestnuts androastpork soup,potato sauerkraut wafts thearomaofmulledwineandlocalspecialities–traditional Christmas mark intheGyőr-Moson-SopronChristmas decorations (Hungary). region ets inBratislava, ViennaBrnoandSopron draw. areal are From allcorners 23

taste advent and Christmas traditions