Page 114 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

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7 Margaret Island . Japanese Garden VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
One of three landscaped
Inhabited as far back as Roman times, Margaret Island parks on Margaret Island, Practical Information
the Japanese Garden features
(Margitsziget) is a car-free, tranquil oasis in the middle a wide range of flora as well Margitsziget, Budapest.
of the Danube, a beautiful green space that has been as ponds and waterfalls, rock Map 2 D1. Danubius Grand Hotel
Margit sziget: Tel (1) 889 47 00.
open to the public since 1869. The 3-km (2-mile) long gardens and playgrounds. Palatinus Strand Baths: Tel (820)
island served as a popular hunting ground for medi- 212 98 73. Open May–Aug:
eval kings, while monks were drawn to its peaceful 9am–7pm; Sep: 10am–6pm. &
setting. During Turkish rule it was used as a harem. Transport
In the 1200s Princess Margaret, daughter of Béla IV, v 4, 6. @ 26 from Nyugati
spent most of her life as a recluse in the former Station.
convent here, and the island is named after her.
Today Margaret Island still offers the perfect
escape after sightseeing in the busy city. Palatinus Strand
Opened in 1919, this is the largest
outdoor swimming pool in
Budapest. Its lush, grassy
Franciscan Church sunbathing areas and
Little remains of this early playgrounds make it especially
14th-century church, which was popular with families. Bodor Well
abandoned in the 16th century. This musical well, built in
Yet the ruins, which include a 1936, is a copy of the
glorious arched window and original which stood in
stair case, hint at its former size. Târgu Mureş (today
in Romania). On the hour,
it plays gentle music.

0 metres 150
0 yards 150

Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget
Margaret Island’s This plush hotel, built in Neo-Renaissance style to designs
Bicycles by Miklós Ybl, was opened in 1873. For almost four decades
There is no better it was the most fashionable hotel in the city, attracting
way to explore the aristocracy from all over Europe.
car-free island
than hiring one
of these family- Princess Margit
sized bicycles.
King Béla IV (see p40) swore that if he succeeded in repel ling the
Mongol invasion of 1241, he would offer his daughter to God.
He kept his oath, sending his nine-year-old
daughter Margit (Margaret) to the St Michael’s
Church and convent, which he built on the
KEY island. She led a pious and ascetic life, and
at the age of 29 died on the island, which
1 Margit Bridge . Centenary Monument today carries her name.
2 Music fountain This monument was . Water Tower The ruin of the 13th-century convent in
3 Hajós Olympic Pool Complex erected in 1973 to This unique 57-m (187-ft) which Margit spent 20 years of her life is
probably the most important monument
4 Margitsziget Small Zoo celebrate a century of tower was built in 1911 to on the island. A marble plaque in the
united Budapest, the cities provide clean water for the
5 St Michael’s Church of Buda, Pest and Óbuda island’s hotel. Protected by nave of the convent church ruins marks St Margit – stained-glass
window, Gellért Hotel
6 Árpád Bridge having merged in 1873. It UNESCO, it offers great views the spot where she is buried.
was designed by István Kiss. from its Lookout Gallery.
For hotels and restaurants see pp264–269 and pp276–285

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