Geography Of Bad Tatzmannsdorf
The municipality lies on the upper reaches of the Drumlingbach and in the Tschabach valley in the Oberwart area in southern Burgenland. Here lies the line separating the southern Burgenland hill area from the Bernstein Mountains/Güns Mountains.
The following three towns or identically named cadastral settlements are part of the municipal area (population in brackets as of January 1, 2023):
- Bad Tatzmannsdorf (766)
- Jormannsdorf (671)
- Sulz bars (210)
Location and Surroundings
Bad Tatzmannsdorf is a town in southern Burgenland, close to the Styrian border.It is situated in the Strembach valley, a Pinka river tributary that empties into the Raab river and then the Danube.Part of the Pannonian Basin, a sizable lowland region encompassing portions of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, and Romania, rolling hills and woodlands encircle the village. Hartberg is over 20 kilometers to the south and Oberwart is around 7 km to the north.
Climate and Weather Patterns
A warm continental climate influenced by the Mediterranean and Pannonian climate zones characterizes Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Warm summers and chilly winters characterize the average yearly temperature of around 10 °C. There are roughly 800 mm of rain an average year, with more falling in the summer than the winter. Having about 2000 hours of sunshine annually, the town is among the sunniest in Austria. The Atlantic Ocean’s moist air is carried in by the dominant westward wind.
Physical Geography
Landforms in Bad Tatzmannsdorf
Situated on a mountainous terrain, Bad Tatzmannsdorf is roughly 300 meters above sea level on average. Reaching 415 meters, the Königsberg is the town’s highest point and provides a broad perspective of the surroundings. At around 270 metres, the Strembach, which runs through the town, is the lowest point. The Strembach splits the town in two; Neu-Tatzmannsdorf, the modern section, is on the right bank while Alt-Tatzmannsdorf, the older section, is on the left.
Rivers and Lakes
The Strembach is the principal watercourse in Bad Tatzmannsdorf; it rises in the Wechsel Mountains and flows through the town from south to north. About 25 km long and 5 m wide, the Strembach is a little, shallow brook. Numerous springs and creeks, some of which are used for spa purposes, supply it. Fish of the Strembach include carp, grayling, and trout.
Several man-made ponds and reservoirs are utilized for irrigation, fishing, and leisure in Bad Tatzmannsdorf; there are no natural lakes there. The biggest and most well-known is the Kurparksee, situated in the spa park and spanning an area of almost 4 hectares. A playground and a strolling path round the Kurparksee, which provides a range of sports including fishing, swimming, and boating.
Mountain Ranges Nearby
Near many mountain ranges, Bad Tatzmannsdorf provides hiking, biking, skiing, and sightseeing possibilities. The closest is the Wechsel Mountains, which, at the Hochwechsel summit, rise to 1743 m and divide Burgenland and Styria. Included in the Eastern Alps, the Wechsel Mountains are made up of metamorphic rocks including schist and gneiss. Rich in alpine roses, lynxes, and uncommon orchids, the Wechsel Mountains are renowned for their breathtaking scenery.
To the north of Bad Tatzmannsdorf and extending into Lower Austria is the Bucklige Welt, another neighboring mountain range. The Bucklige Welt is a hilly area, rising to a height of 893 m at the Hutwisch summit on average from 500 m. The gentle slopes, verdant meadows, and thick forests that define the Bucklige Welt have earned it the moniker “the land of a thousand hills.” With so many castles, cathedrals, and museums, the Bucklige Welt is likewise rich in cultural legacy.
Human Geography
Population Distribution
By January 1, 2023, Bad Tatzmannsdorf will be the fifth-largest municipality in the Oberwart district with 1647 residents. About 81 persons per km² is the population density, which is less than the averages for Austria (107 people per km²) and Burgenland (97 people per km²). The outskirts are more rural and sparserly inhabited, with the majority of services and amenities found in the town center.
With a tiny minority of other nationalities like Hungarian, Croatian, German, and Romanian, the majority of people in Bad Tatzmannsdorf are Austrian. Though some also speak Hungarian or Croatian, which are acknowledged as minority languages in Burgenland, German is the official language. Roman Catholicism is the most common religion; Protestantism and other religions come next.
Urban Development
Beginning in the Middle Ages when it was first recorded as a settlement in 1241, Bad Tatzmannsdorf has a lengthy history of urban growth. Growing up around the Strembach and the main road that linked it to other towns and areas was the town. Walls and towers, some of which are still standing today like the Stadttor and Schloss Tatzmannsdorf, were built to fortify the settlement. A market and a hub for trade, particularly for wine and cattle, also emerged in the town.
The town’s urban growth took a big leap in the 18th and 19th centuries when it became a well-known spa resort that drew tourists from over Europe. A number of the hotels, guesthouses, and villas that the town constructed—many of which are still in operation today—include the Hotel Krainer, the Hotel Simon, and the Villa Martini. Along with these improvements, the town upgraded its water supply, railroads, and roadways.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, the town kept expanding urbanly while adjusting to the shifting demands and tastes of both locals and visitors. Based on its own natural healing resources, the town upgraded its spa and wellness services and now provides a range of treatments and therapies. By including more cultural, leisure, and educational events like museums, festivals, and sports, the town further broadened its tourist offer. Together with fostering its unique identity and community, the town preserved its natural and cultural legacy and improved its environmental and social sustainability.
Infrastructure and Transportation
Accessibility and mobility are made easier in Bad Tatzmannsdorf by its well-developed infrastructure and transit system. The B50 and B57 highways connect the town to the A2 highway and the neighboring cities of Oberwart, Hartberg, and Graz, therefore establishing a connection to the national and international road system. Additionally providing regular and frequent services to and from the town and its environs is the local and regional bus network.
Though it lacks a railway station, the town is near to the stations at Oberwart and Friedberg, which are roughly 10 and 15 kilometers apart, respectively. The town is connected to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and other places by the national and international railway network via the Südbahn and the Ghega line. Together with a cab service inside the town, the town also provides a shuttle service to and from the train stations.
Though there isn’t an airport in the town, Graz Airport and Vienna International Airport are both easily accessible—about 80 and 120 kilometers distant, respectively. Airlines fly to Munich, Zurich, London, and Istanbul among other local and international locations from the airports. The community also provides car rentals within the town and a shuttle service to and from the airports.
Natural Attractions
Parks and Green Spaces
Numerous parks and green areas in Bad Tatzmannsdorf offer chances for leisure, quiet time, and enjoyment of the natural world. Approximately 20 hectares in size, the Kurpark is the biggest and most well-known one and is situated in the town center. The Kurpark is an ornamented park with ponds, trees, flowers, and meadows.
Nature Reserves
Numerous natural reserves that safeguard and preserve the town’s and its environs’ biodiversity are also located in Bad Tatzmannsdorf. The most well-known is the 550 km² Naturpark Geschriebenstein-Írottkő, a cross-border natural park straddling the Austrian and Hungarian borders. With 884 m, the Geschriebenstein is the highest point in Burgenland and the tallest peak of the Günser Mountains, and it bears the name of the nature park. Rich flora and fauna including orchids, butterflies, birds, and deer, together with a varied topography featuring forests, meadows, marshes, and rocky outcrops, define the nature park.
To the north of Bad Tatzmannsdorf, in a regional nature park covering an area of around 100 km², is the Naturpark Rosalia-Kogelberg. The two mountain ranges that make up the eastern edge of the Alps, the Rosalia Mountains and the Kogelberg, are honored in the name of the natural park. With so many churches, museums, and castles, the nature area is renowned for both its scenic beauty and cultural legacy. Additional plant and animal species found in the nature park include owls, woodpeckers, wild roses, and beech trees.
Scenic Points of Interest
Bad Tatzmannsdorf also has a number of picturesque locations with breathtaking views over the town and its surrounds. At the town’s highest point, Königsberg, is the Aussichtswarte, a wooden observation tower. A spiral stairway at the 21-meter-tall tower leads to an observation platform with a 360-degree view of the Pannonian Basin, the Wechsel Mountains, the Bucklige Welt, and the Günser Mountains. Both cars and pedestrians can reach the tower.
The Panoramaweg is another picturesque feature of the town; it is a circular walking path that links a number of sites, including the Kurpark, Schloss Tatzmannsdorf, Stadttor, and Aussichtswarte. Along the approximately 8-kilometer route are benches and information boards. The walk provides a range of vistas of the town and its surrounds, including the hills, the vineyards, the woodlands, and the Strembach.
Cultural Geography
Historical Sites
Numerous historical sites from several eras and periods represent the rich and varied history of Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Built as the lords of Tatzmannsdorf’s palace in the thirteenth century, Schloss Tatzmannsdorf is one of the oldest and most significant historical landmarks. The castle is a four-winged structure including a tower, a chapel, and a courtyard. Currently housing a museum, the castle showcases the art and furnishings of the castle together with the history and culture of the town and the area.
Part of the town’s medieval walls, the Stadttor is another historical monument in Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Among the few remaining sections of the town wall, the gate is situated near the entrance to the ancient town. The stone arched gate has a coat of arms and a wooden canopy. Being the point where the old and new sections of the town converge, the gate is also a representation of the town and its character.
Architectural Landmarks
Numerous architectural sites in Bad Tatzmannsdorf also demonstrate the various influences and styles that molded the town and its structures. The local parish church, the Pfarrkirche, is one of them and is devoted to St. Martin of Tours. The church is a Gothic structure including a tower, a choir, and a nave. The church was constructed in the fifteenth century, and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it was enlarged and renovated. Rich inside, the church features a frescoed ceiling, a rococo pulpit, and a baroque altar.
Situated in Kurpark, the Kurhaus is the town’s primary spa building and another architectural monument. Modern in design, the Kurhaus has a curving roof and a glass façade. Built in the 20th century, Roland Rainer was the architect. The thermal pools, sauna, massage, and fitness center are among the spa and wellness amenities housed in the Kurhaus. Along with these activities, the Kurhaus holds conferences, exhibitions, and concerts.
Administrative Divisions
In Austrian politics and administration, Bad Tatzmannsdorf is both a town and a municipality. Within the state of Burgenland, the town is a part of the Oberwart district, one of nine. The town is likewise a part of Südburgenland, one of the four areas of the state of Burgenland. Every five years the people pick a mayor and a municipal council to run the town. Federally appointed district commissioners and state governors also represent the town.
The Strembach splits the town into Alt-Tatzmannsdorf, the older section, and Neu-Tatzmannsdorf, the newer section. Four cadastral communities, administrative units used for land registration and taxation, also comprise the town. The four cadastral communities are Bernstein, Jormannsdorf, Bad Tatzmannsdorf, and Sulzriegel.
