| Margaret Island is 2,5 Km long and at its broadest | | | | original building.) busts of prominent Hungarian authors |
| part there is a huge park 500 m wide. The island is | | | | and artists line the neighboring promenades. In the |
| one of Budapest's most popular places for walking, | | | | middle of the Margaret Island ruins of the 13th |
| bathing, amusement and sports. It is likely the once | | | | century Franciscan church have survived. Recent |
| the Romans occupies the island, for remains of villas | | | | excavations have uncovered additional sections of |
| and watchtowers dating back to Roman times have | | | | the sanctuary the sacristy and the former |
| been found here. During the Middle Ages the | | | | monastery. Next to it stands the walls of Palatine |
| Templars of St. John built the castle-monastery in the | | | | Joseph's former palace. The church of the Dominican |
| southern part of the island. The Dominican order was | | | | nuns (east of the Water Tower) is another |
| also established here, in which King Bela IV's | | | | monument worthy of interest. The evidence of the |
| daughter, (St.) Margaret lived and died. It was from | | | | unearthed remains suggests that is was originally |
| her that the Margaret Island at one time called Rabbit | | | | one-aisled with en octagonal tower on its western |
| Island, received its present name. The medieval | | | | side. Beside it there stand the remains of the convert |
| buildings were destroyed during the Turkish | | | | yard the cloisters and convent halls. |
| occupation and only since the end of the 18th | | | | The island can be approached from the south across |
| century has the island become a well-cared-for park. | | | | the Margaret Bridge built in 1872-1876 according to |
| The owner of the island at that time Palatine Joseph | | | | the plans of E. Gouin. The underground passageway |
| planted here flowers, trees and plants and had | | | | leading from the bridge to the Margaret Island was |
| summer homes built here. At the end of the 19th | | | | added in 1901. The bridge was blown up by the |
| century deep-drilling operations brought medicinal | | | | fascists at the end of 1944 during rush-hour. It was |
| thermal water to the surface and Margaret Island | | | | rebuilt in 1946-1848.. (The N° 4 and 6 tram |
| subsequently developed into an internationally-known | | | | stops are situated at the entrance to the Island. Bus |
| bathing (SPA) and recreational area. | | | | N° 26 carries passengers to the island from |
| Arpad Bridge spans the Danube river at the northern | | | | Nyugati ter next to the West Railway station.) |
| tip of the Margaret Island and there is a road leading | | | | A bronze monument (by Istvan Kiss) erected in 1972 |
| from it to the island. The length of the Arpad Bridge | | | | in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of |
| is almost 2 kilometers and its length over the water | | | | unification of Pest, Buda and Obuda greets visitors |
| is 928 meters. It was completed in 1950 but has | | | | arriving at the south entrance of the island. Behind it |
| since been enlarged. | | | | there is a fountain illuminated every night in color. |
| Private cars can be driven onto the island only across | | | | On the left hand side of the island (on the bank |
| the Arpad Bridge and only as far as the car park | | | | towards Buda) is situated a sport stadium (named |
| next to the Grand Hotel Margitsziget and the | | | | Pioneer's Stadium in the socialistic era). |
| Danubius Thermal Hotel Margitsziget. However any | | | | The next sports establishment is the National Sport |
| part of the island can be reached by means of bus, | | | | Swimming-Pool the scene of international swimming |
| taxi (cab) or mini bus service. | | | | competitions and water polo matches. The builder |
| The Danubius Thermal Hotel was built on the | | | | Alfred Hajos was a swimming champion at the first |
| northern part of the island near the road leading to | | | | modern Olympic Games held in 1896. The |
| the Arpad Bridge next to the charming Japanese | | | | establishment has one indoor and two outdoor pools |
| Garden. The Grand Hotel Margaret Island is situated | | | | and a third one with a high diving board and seats |
| nearby. The Open-air Theatre of the State Opera | | | | 6,000 spectators. Except during times of training and |
| House where opera and ballet performances and | | | | competitions the swimming pool is open to the |
| concerts are held every summer is situated in the | | | | general public. |
| center of the island. The stage which is surrounded | | | | Across the island on the bank facing Buda is situated |
| by ancient trees has an area of 1,400 square meter. | | | | the Palatinus outdoor public swimming pool with cold |
| The Water Tower overlooking the theatre was built | | | | and warm water pools and swimming pool with |
| in 1911. | | | | artificial waves. The bathing facilities cover an area of |
| The former Premonstratensian chapel near the Grand | | | | 70,000 square meters and can accommodate up to |
| Hotel is reconstructed historic monument of medieval | | | | 20,000 people. Across Margaret Island in Obuda we |
| origin. The 12th century Romanesque church was | | | | find the remains of the Aquincum which dates back |
| destroyed during the Turkish occupation and was | | | | to the Roman times. |
| reconstructed in 1930-1931 by making use of the | | | | For photos and more information about the |
| remaining walls. (The south wall of the nave with the | | | | mentioned places on Margaret Island visit my |
| two windows ending in a semicircle is from the | | | | Budapest updated blog site. |