Sopron

About

The town sprang to fame in 1989 as the site of the "Pan-European Picnic", when the Iron Curtain between Austria and Hungary was lifted for a few hours to allow hundreds of East German citizens to cross the border, an action that catalyzed the fall of the Eastern Bloc. Modern day Sopron merges past and present, creating a bridge between Hungary and its neighbors. Lying among the charming heritage buildings, churches and museums is the symbol of the city — the Firewatch Tower. The tower was built on Roman ruins and contains the ‘Loyalty Gate’ built in 1921 in tribute to the occasion when Sopron refused to cede to Austria in the 1900s. Head on up the steps to the tower terrace to check out the panoramic views of the Old Town and the surrounding picturesque lower Alps. The tower includes a visitor center which contains some informative displays on the history of Sopron accompanied by fascinating old paintings and photos.