Fürstenfeld (; ) is a small historic city in Styria, Austria. It is situated near the border with Hungary, which is why the city was originally founded. The town has become quite famous in Austria and Germany because of the song by the same name by Styrian band S.T.S.
Fürstenfeld has a population of some 10,391 as of January 1, 2025. It was the centre of an eponymous district until the end of 2012, when this was merged with Hartberg to form the district of Hartberg-Fürstenfeld.
Fürstenfeld was founded around 1170 as a defense against the Hungarians (the present Austrian state of Burgenland was part of Hungary until after World War I, so Fürstenfeld used to lie right on the border) and received its town charter in 1215.
Today, it is known for its schools, middle-sized industry, and vicinity to several spa towns (Bad Blumau, Bad Loipersdorf and Bad Waltersdorf in Styria, and Stegersbach in Burgenland).
Geography Fürstenfeld is located in the lower valley near the Burgenland border. Elevation of the urban area ranges from 255 m to approximately 300 m. The city`s central part sits on a river terrace two dozen meters above the valley floor.
History First human traces in the Fürstenfeld area are attributed to the Neolithic age. There are numerous Urnfield culture archaeological finds and the Romans also found their way into the later Province of Noricum bordering their Pannonia province. From the 6th century on, Slavs diffused into the Pannonic region and were followed by Bavarian settlers in the 8th century.
Twin towns — sister cities
Fürstenfeld is twinned with: Aindling, Germany Körmend, Hungary Vişeu de Sus, Romania Zug, Switzerland
Notable people
Anita Herbert Depisch Wilfried Elmenreich, researcher and university professor Hans Fronius Sissy Handler Richard L. Heschl, born in Welsdorf Markus Hirtler (alias Ermi-Oma), cabaret artist Max J. Hiti Max Keimel Karl Mader, painter, graphic artist Bert Isatitsch Katharina Paldauf (1625-1675), "flower witch" prosecuted during the Great Witch trial of Feldbach (1913, Rudersdorf - 2003)Parlamentarische Materialien: Erklärung des Präsidenten Gottfried Jaud anlässlich des 50. Jahrestages der Gründung des Europarates. Stenografisches Protokoll der 654 Sitzung /Seite 42, http://www.parlament.gv.at/pd/steno/PG/DE/BR/BRSITZ/BRSITZ_00654/SEITE_0042.html?P_PM=SEITE_0042 Helmut Röhrling (known as ""), member of S.T.S. Emmerich Schreiner Hanna Schulze-Bauer Hannes Schulze-Bauer (born 1948, Fürstenfeld), member of S.T.S. Fritz Vogt Gregor von Rezzori, studied in Fürstenfeld
References
External links Official website of Fürstenfeld