Margaret Island

Originally known as Rabbits Island, Budapest’s Margaret Island has always played an important role in the city’s history. In the Middle Ages, the island was home to a number of religious cloisters, but by the beginning of the 1800s, this 2.5 kilometer-long (1.4 mile) island was embraced by members of the royal family, who took it upon themselves to turn it into an ornate garden. Later, the island became a health resort and visitors flocked there to take advantage of its therapeutic springs.

Today, the 500-meter-wide (550 yard) island covers 225 acres and is linked to the mainland by two bridges: the Margaret Bridge to the south and the Arpad Bridge in the north.

Entering the island from the Margaret Bridge will put the visitor face-to-face with the Centenary Monument, created in 1972 to commemorate the 100-year-anniversary of the joining of Buda and Pest. Not far from the Monument is a large fountain, animated with background music. Also on the southern portion of the island, visitors will find a community swimming complex and the popular Palatinus Baths. The latter covers about 17 acres and features three therapeutic pools.

An open-air theater where guests can enjoy ballet, opera, and other stage presentations is also found on the southern part of Margaret Island as is an outdoor cinema.
Right near the theater is a 57m / 187ft high octagonal water tower (víztorony), built in 1911. The elegant Art Nouveau tower, protected as a UNESCO monument, is used as a watchtower and exhibition area.

Travel north and you’ll find the ancient ruins of a thirteenth century convent of Dominican nuns, once home to the daughter of King Bela IV, for whom the island was named.

Not far from the spot where Margaret was buried, you’ll see the chapel of the medieval Premonstratensian monastery and the oldest tower bell in Hungary, cast in the fifteenth century. A beautiful rock garden and artificial waterfall are located at the northern tip of the island as well as two hotels, the Grand Hotel and the newer Hotel Thermal.