Margaret Island & Northern Pest - Budapest - page 236

Margaret Bridge (Margit híd), which has finally emerged from a massive three-year recon-
struction, introduces the Big Ring Rd to Buda. It's unique in that it doglegs in order to stand
at right angles to the Danube where it converges at the southern tip of Margaret Island. The
bridge was originally built by French engineer Ernest Gouin in 1876; the branch leading to
the island was added in 1901.

MONUMENT

CENTENNIAL MONUMENT
(Centenariumi emlékmű; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 26, 4, 6)
This monument, in the flower-bedded roundabout 350m north of the tram stop on Margaret
Bridge, was unveiled in 1973 to mark the 100th anniversary of the union of Buda, Pest and
Óbuda. As it was an entirely different era in Budapest more than 40 years ago, the sculptor
filled the strange split cone with all sorts of socialist and nationalist symbols. It's like a time
capsule.

ARCHITECTURE

WATER TOWER & OPEN-AIR THEATRE
(Víztorony és Szabadtéri Színpad; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 06 20 383 6352; Margit-sziget; Lookout
Gallery adult/child 300/200Ft; Lookout Gallery 11.30am-7pm May-Oct; 26)
Erected in 1911 in the north-central part of Margaret Island, the octagonal water tower rises
66m above the recently renovated open-air theatre (szabadtéri színpad), which is used for
concerts and plays in summer. The tower contains the Lookout Gallery (Kilátó Galéria).
Climbing the 153 steps will earn you a stunning 360-degree view of the island, Buda and
Pest.

RUIN

FRANCISCAN CHURCH AND MONASTERY
(Ferences templom és kolostor; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Margit-sziget; 26)
The ruins - no more than a tower and a wall dating to the late 13th century - are in the
centre of the island. Habsburg Archduke Joseph built a summer residence here when he in-
herited the island in 1867. It was later converted into a hotel, which operated until 1949.

RUIN

DOMINICAN CONVENT
(Domonkos kolostor; MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 26)
A ruin is all that remains of the 13th-century convent built by Béla IV, where his daughter,
St Margaret (1242-71) lived. According to the story, the king promised to commit his
daughter to a life of devotion in a nunnery if the Mongols were driven from the land. They
were and she was - at nine years of age. A red-marble sepulchre cover surrounded by a
wrought-iron grille marks her original resting place.