Sopron: A Day Trip by Train

Located in one of the many wine regions of Hungary, Sopron is home to an abundance of ancient history and architectural delights   . . . 

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Yes, this is wine country. In fact Sopron is only one of over twenty wine regions in Hungary. For this adventure I hopped a train from Vienna, Austria to spend a day immersing myself into the flavorful tastes and sights of yet one more European country.
​Here is what I found:​

History in the Wine Region of Hungary

​Travelling from Vienna to Sopron was an easy task. Depending on the time of day, you can book these tickets at the station for under 20 Euros each way. The trip itself is only about 1hr 15min and consists of an abundance of scenic rural views along the way. 

You Can Browse Tickets Here

What Money Do They Use?

After stepping off the train, my first objective was to convert a bit of cash to the local tender. Despite being a member of the European Union, Hungary uses their own form of currency. Their official money is the Hungarian Forint, which comes in amounts ranging from 500 to 10,000. But don't worry, that 500 bill is only about $1.40 US. And if you need to convert a little cash, there is a money changer just across from the train station. 

Hungarian Forint

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The History of Sopron

The town of Sopron has a fascinating history going all the way back to the days of the Holy Roman Empire. Located right in the middle of the Old Town you will find a museum called The Forum. From inside you can venture down below and see the original infrastructure on which this city was built. 

The Forum

At some point the settlement had become abandoned as its people started migrating elsewhere. By the 9th century the Kingdom of Hungary was expanding into this area and began to fortify the already standing walls. 

It was a good thing they did, because by the 16th century the Ottoman Turks were making their way throughout the land. Due to its impressive fortifications the city grew and became an important refuge during this conflict. 

Though the city was never taken by war, it did fall victim to fire - once in the 1300s and again in 1676. It was these devastating events that caused it to be rebuilt using a mixture of the Medieval and Baroque styles of architecture that you can still see today. 

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Churches of Sopron

Religious structures are a common sight to behold in the old town, and one of the most noticeable is the centrally located Evangelical Church of Sopron. Just a block southeast is the neo-gothic styled Church of the Immaculate Conception. This church began with nuns of the Ursuline Order who traveled from the neighboring city of Gyor. Their mission was to set up a school with the task of educating the young girls of the area.

Just outside the northeast rim of the old town, you may find yourself passing by the Church of the Holy Spirit. The exterior is composed of a neo-gothic facade, while the interior displays a baroque style that seems to be common to the area.

After a couple more blocks is the Saint Michael's Church of Sopron. Situated at the top of the hill, its strategic location was once used as a lookout point. While here be sure to also take a walk out back to explore the graveyard, as you'll find the craftsmanship of these monuments to be exquisite. ​

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Religious Monuments in Sopron

Located in the middle of the main square of Sopron, you cannot go without noticing the baroque styled Holy Trinity Column. Also known as the Plague Column, this masterpiece was crafted to commemorate the end of the epidemic that once ravaged this part of the world. 

Religious Monuments of Sopron

Just outside of the Church of the Immaculate Conception you will easily find the beautifully constructed Fountain of Mary. If you venture further around the northeastern edge of the old town's outer rim it will brig you to Marya's Column, which marks the former spot of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

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Historic Monuments of Sopron

All over town you will encounter monuments to history, from those who helped cultivate the modern-day society to events that that have had a lasting impact on the lives of generations of townsfolk. While there are too many to list, a few you notice include a statue of Istvan Szechenyi, who was a writer and politician known as The Great Reformer". 

You will notice many other intersting sculptures and monuments during your time here, and many of these can be found along a very pleasant green walkway. This stretch of land is called Deak Square. It is actually a long rectangular shaped park, and boasts to be the second largest of its kind in all of Central Europe. 

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Other Attractions in Sopron

While Sopron is a very walkable town with little distance between points of interest, there is a small trolley-like train that can take you on a tour to hit the most important sights. This is a great option for those who may have disabilities, small children, or have simply exhausted themselves along the way. ​

One thing is for certain, you definitely want to be sure to clime the fire tower before leaving town. This massive structure provides some amazing views of the surrounding area. It also houses a collection of archaeological findings from the origins of this ancient settlement. ​

There are several other museums in town as well. Just be sure to check the hours of operation, and plan accordingly. You don't want to take the chance of missing out on any thing in this wonderful Hungarian destination ... especially if you are only here for a short time like I was. ​

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And the Food & Beverage?

For lunch I had an amazing dish of fried pork with vegetables. Unfortunately, I was so enamored by it that I forgot to take a photo (you can see it in my YouTube video). Now keep i mind, I already mentioned this was wine country, so I felt obligated to try as many as possible. I couldn't help but notice the reds especially go well with a nice sweet dessert. 

The local wines were without a doubt some of the best I have tasted, but I also have to give a shout out to the local brew as well. You should definitely try a pint or two of Soproni beer before leaving town. ​

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After a long day of exploring the historic streets of one of the most pleasant places I have visited, it was time to make my exit. I had made this epic journey as a day trip from Vienna, and it was now time to return and see what other adventures await.

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