Eisenstadt — Haydn's Lost Manuscript

Your quest for the manuscript begins at Schloss Esterházy, the main residence of the Esterházy princes, your employers. Built from 1663 by Paul I Esterházy and expanded in the 18th century, this 27-hectare historic monument was the setting for Joseph Haydn's early years as vice-Kapellmeister from 1761. It was in the castle's Kapelle that he conducted the court orchestra, laying the groundwork for his career. Exploring the inner courtyards, you look for the first clues in these places where the composer spent decades, from 1761 to 1790, in the service of the princely family. The city of Eisenstadt still resonates with his influence.

The route then takes you to the Orangerie, built around 1810 to house 300 winter citrus trees, in the heart of the Schlosspark Esterházy. Created around 1670 with its artificial lake (1760s), this 27-hectare park was the master's place for strolls and composition. Haydn found inspiration there in the park pavilion, with direct access from his apartments. It is here, among the green avenues, that fragments of melodies might have flown away. You proceed towards the Haydn-Haus Eisenstadt, located at Josef-Haydn-Gasse 21, just 300m from the palace, where the composer resided from 1766 to 1790, in the musicians' quarter of the court.

At the Haydn-Haus Eisenstadt, now a museum since 1880, you explore the house where Haydn composed many of his quartets and symphonies. The house contains original instruments and manuscripts, all clues for your investigation. Your musical journey then leads you to the Bergkirche Eisenstadt, the Calvary Church, built between 1701 and 1724 by Lukas von Hildebrandt for Paul IV Esterházy. It was in this church that Haydn conducted the premiere of his 7th Mass in 1798, a work commissioned by the Esterházy family. Austria's largest vault fresco, 4480 m² painted by Kürzböck in the 1760s, dominates the interior, while 170 Stations of the Cross chapels dot the hill.

Your search continues along Hauptstraße Eisenstadt, the historic main street paved since the 18th century. This artery directly connected the Haydn-Haus to the Landhaus and the Dominican church. Haydn used this street daily, encountering merchants and the Esterházy bourgeoisie. The game will take you along approximately 800m of this street, looking for clues hidden in architectural details. The Gloriette, built in 1780 on a hill in the Schlosspark, offers a panoramic view of Eisenstadt, a place that might have inspired the last notes of the sought-after manuscript.

The route brings you back to Schloss Esterházy, before guiding you to the Landhaus Eisenstadt, the Parliament of Burgenland, built between 1668 and 1670 by Jakob Carove. 400m from the palace, this was the administrative seat of the Esterházys, then of the regional government. Haydn gave occasional public concerts there, outside court performances, in the Knights' Hall, Austria's largest baroque hall with its 540 m² and 13m height. By completing your thematic circuit, you will have not only solved the enigma of the lost manuscript but also discovered the history of Eisenstadt, the Capital of Burgenland, and its rich heritage around the City of Haydn. An interactive visit for music and history lovers.