Page 178 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest
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176 bud apest area b y area
A Two-Hour Walk around Margaret Island
Historically inaccessible in the middle of the danube,
Margaret Island was a retreat for religious contem plation from
at least the 11th century onwards. relics of the island’s past Árpád híd
include the remains of two monastic churches and also the
ruins of the convent home of princess Margit, daughter of
King béla IV, who gave the island its name. Opened to the w
public in 1869, Margaret Island is today budapest’s most
beautiful park, a car-free haven of greenery in the middle of
the city and the ideal location for a peaceful stroll. On the D a n u b e
western shore, the palatinus strand bathing complex makes q
use of the mineral-rich hot springs rising on the island. 0
He won gold medals in 9
swimming events in the 1896
Olympic Games and was also 5 The Water Tower
a member of the Hungarian
football team. Turn right and
then left to continue north
wards, there is a rose garden 8
8 A relief of Archangel Michael on to the right before the ruins
St Michael’s Church of the early 14thcentury 5 7
Franciscan Church 3 come into
Centenary Monument to view. Constructed in the Gothic 6
Palatinus Strand style of the time, the church 4
The walk begins amid the peace was originally attached to a
and greenery of the southern tip monastery. Visible in the west
of Margaret Island. Proceeding wall is the doorway which
to the north, the first landmark once led to the organ loft, as
is the Centenary Monument 1 well as a spiral staircase and
(see p66), which stands in front of fine arched window. Further
a sizable fountain. Designed by on is the busy Palatinus
István Kiss, the monument was Strand 4 (see p55). In front HAJÓS ALFRÉD SÉTÁNY 3
made in 1973, to commemorate of the entrance to its
the centenary of the unification pools stands a statue
of the towns of Buda, Óbuda by French sculptor
and Pest (see p34). At night the Emile Guilleaume.
fountain is dramatically illum
inated. You can also rent four Water Tower
wheel family bikes here called to St Michael’s
Bringóhintó. Taking a left turn Church
ahead, the Hajós Olympic Pool Clearly visible to the
Complex 2 (see p55) is soon northeast of Palatinus
reached. Built in 1930, the Strand, is the 57m (187
complex was designed by the ft) high Water Tower 5. 2
multitalented Alfréd Hajós. Built in 1911 and now
protected by UNESCO,
this graceful tower is
currently used as an
exhibition space for a
variety of previously
unexhibited modern
crafts and artworks, D a n u b e 1
ranging from puppets D a n u b e
to paintings. At the foot
of the Water Tower is the
Summer Theatre, a large
modern amphi theatre
seating 3,500 people, which
3 Ruins of the 14th-century hosts a summer season of
Franciscan Church musical performances. To the Margit híd
Margit híd
250 metres / 300 yards
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