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Moschendorf is a community in the Güssing district. The Hungarian name of the
community is Nagysároslak.
The community is located in the lower
Pinka valley in South Burgenland, directly on the Austrian-Hungarian border.
Morschendorf is the only locality in the community. During the 1922/1923 Border
negotiations between Austria and Hungary the northern neighboring village
Petrovo Selo/ Szentpéterfa, which lies on the Pinka, was reintegrated as part
of Hungary. Because the southern town Pinkamindszent likewise belonged to
Hungary, Moschendorf borders Hungary to the North, East and South, with only the
Western border touching Austria.
History:
The first documented mention of the community comes from the 13th century.
In 1482 the community Sároslak (sáros= swamp; lak= residence) was named. In
1564 it appears again the name Németsároslak (német= German). The oldest
existent evidence of the German name Moschendorf came from the year 1600
(mos=moss in Middle High German).
Devestation caused by war occured in 1532 and 1605. In 1636 and 1836 the town
was destroyed by fires. In 1713 the church and the parish school were founded.
In 1773, the parish church, which still stands today, was built. At that time
the town had 164 inhabitants. In 1882 the volunteer fire department was founded.
In 1900 Moschendorf counted 1,215 inhabitants.
The town, like the entirety of German-West Hungary, belonged to Hungary until
1921. In 1898, because of the Magyarization politics of the Budapest government,
the Hungarian name Nagysároslak had to be used (nagy= large). After the first
World War German-West Hungary became part of Austria, as agreed to in the
treaties of St. Germain in 1919 (with Austria) and Trianon in 1920 (with
Hungary). The Austrians named the area Burgenland and took possession of it in
1921.
In 1970 the town became part of the larger
community Strem. In 1980 450 inhabitants were counted.
In 1996 Moschendorf became an independent
community once more.
The shield:
 Coat of arms: „In the half green, half gold plaque is a house with
inverted colors (green on gold, gold on green). Above the house is a green vine
with two grapes (in the foreground) and an inward ascending oxen (in the
background).”
Chronology:
Moschendorf was mentioned for the first time in 1230. At that time the
settlement was called „Vilamaszar“ (not confirmed).
(13th century- first documented mention)
1483- the town was called “Saroslak”; “Saros”= swamp, “Lak”=
residence
1564- “Nemetsaroslak”; “Nemet”= German
1600- named “Moschendorf” for the first time; 330 inhabitants. „Mos“=
moss (Middle High German)
1532, 1605- devastation caused by war
1664, 1704- flood, plague
1630, 1863- fires destroy the town
1713- church and parish school are built
1773- own parish, 754 inhabitants
1882- fire department is founded
1921- Annexation to Austria; the population’s avowal before the
Entente-Comission
1914-1918- Victims of the war: 25 soldiers
1939-1945- Victims of the war: 29 soldiers and 18 civilians
1945- Moschendorf was a combat area for 14 days
1971- Integration into the larger community Strem
1996- Moschendorf becomes an independent community again
Population development 1869-2010
Numbers show a similar tendency as most
other towns in southern Burgenland. Subsequently there was a continuous
emigration without any particular highpoints starting in the year 1900. This
regularity precludes the existence of any particular emigration stimulus, as
some may claim.
Tourist Highlights
 
Tourist highlights are the hiking trails, which go through the woods, along the
Pinka and over the meadows, as well as the fully developed bike paths. Fish
ponds are available for fishing.
Inns on the vineyard invite visitors to come taste their wines. Lovers of the
Uhudler wine can also satisfy their desire here. The South Burgenland Vinothek
offers quality wines from the Weinidylle region. The Wine Museum is also worth
visiting.
A myriad of chapels and wayside shrines shape the landscape and the Pinka valley
Weinstraße. The parish church which was blessed by St. Rosalia was built ca.
1733 in place of a Rosalia chapel.
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