Mattersburg marks 100 years as a city

Mattersburg has concluded a year of celebrations marking 100 years since it was granted city status, with a ceremony highlighting the town’s history and community life, ORF reported.

The ceremony took place this week at the Mattersburg Cultural Centre and featured performances by children and young people. It closed a programme of events held throughout the anniversary year, including a New Year’s concert, a fair and the opening of anniversary hiking trails.

Mattersburg, the fourth-largest city in Burgenland, has nearly 7,600 residents, and its population is growing. The town is known for its quality of life, infrastructure, and active cultural and club scene. Mayor Claudia Schlager said events had been well attended, particularly the fair, adding that it was encouraging to see young people involved.

The town’s settlement history dates back several thousand years, according to archaeological excavations in its centre. The place name Vila Martina was recorded in 1202.

Mattersburg also has a notable Jewish history. Its Jewish community was at times the largest in Burgenland, and its Talmud school had an international reputation. City archivist Karl Aufner said the school trained rabbis from Burgenland and across eastern Europe, including Vienna. Wealthy Jewish families in Vienna sent sons who would not inherit their businesses to Mattersburg for rabbinical training, he said.

In his address, Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil said cooperation between generations was key to the town’s positive development.