The quality of life in Vienna is considered high, but sometimes the big city can be too much. Fortunately, there are numerous villages and small towns that you can visit on a day trip to bring some variety to city life. Places like Perchtoldsdorf transport you to another world and let you experience a little adventure away from everyday life. Burgenland also offers many beautiful towns for your next trip, with Rust repeatedly being named the most beautiful. There is so much to discover in this little village.
Paradise for storks
Rust in Burgenland is not only known for its proximity to Lake Neusiedl and its listed old town, but also for its many storks. In summer, they return from Africa and settle on the wide chimneys of the old Baroque and Renaissance buildings in the town center. In fact, Rust has the largest white stork colony in Burgenland and is therefore also known as the “city of storks.” There is even a special rescue center for storks that are unable to fly, which is cared for by the staff.
Around 15 pairs of storks come to Rust every year and raise their young. When all the chicks are born, around 60 storks live in the small town, which itself has a population of just over 1,900. They have been coming to Rust since the 19th century and have become an attraction over time. The stork association has erected a large stork’s nest on the town hall square, in front of which fans of the birds can have their picture taken.
Charming old town of Rust
A trip to Rust is not only worthwhile for stork lovers. Even aside from its feathered friends, the town has a number of attractions to offer and has even been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2001. In addition, Rust has been named the most beautiful town in Burgenland several times. The town center is characterized by Baroque and Renaissance architecture and captivates visitors with its detailed frescoes and elegant archways. The colorful houses on Rathausplatz bring color to the townscape. Parts of the old town wall are still preserved and integrated into the buildings.
The oldest building in the town is the Fischerkirche(Fishermen’s Church), which was built in the 12th century from the remains of a Roman fortified tower. In the 17th century, it became part of the fortifications when it was integrated into the town wall. Inside, you can admire richly decorated frescoes. Today, the church primarily serves as a museum and a venue for cultural events. You can visit the Fischerkirche Rust from April to October.
Rust is also known for its viticulture. The town has around 450 hectares of vineyards and hosts the annual Golden Wine Week with its own wine queen. The International Guitar Festival Rust is also an annual event that has been running since 1999. Fans of the instrument not only get to enjoy live music, but can also take master classes from renowned guitarists.
