Over the centuries the Burgenland region has been the scene of fierce battles
and thus the land was devastated and desolate. In the eighth century, when
the Pannonian plain was part of the Franconian empire, Bavarians and
Slavs started to move into this area.
After repeated attacks by the Turks or Hungarians Croatian refugees
settled in the plain.
Even today about 12% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities.
The Croats (7% of Austria´s population) live in separate villages
(linguistic islands) found all over Burgenland, while the Magyars
(2% of the entire population) are found almost exclusively
in the district of Oberwart and in the south.
In the province of Burgenland we also find the largest percentage
of Protestants (14%).
The arrangement of villages and farmsteads is strictly geometrical,
proof of planned settlement. The villages of the north Burgenland
are based on the Angerdorf, a village form where the main road
through the village widens in the centre to form a large square,
which was used for grazing the cattle.
The farm model most frequently found is the Streckhof, where the living quarters, the kitchens, the bedrooms, the stables and
the barn are built one behind the other, under one roof.
The long period of submission has left its marks on Burgenland,
that is why city centers are almost non-existent.
