The important Roman army camp Carnuntum was located only ten miles northeast of Bruck at the Amber Road.

In the Napoleonic Wars Bruck was a center of maneuvers for the Austrian army, which it remained during the 19th century.

This border, symbolised by the river Leitha, separated the Austrian Empire from the Kingdom of Hungary (Cisleithania and Transleithania).

Despite the important military base neighbouring Bruck, the town was not much affected by World War II.

Important sights are the city walls from the 13th century, the Baroque church and the old castle, Schloss Prugg, of the Dukes of Harrach.