Greatest Hungarian boat ever to be rebuilt and opened for guests near Chain Bridge

József Kreinbacher, a Hungarian businessman, is bringing an iconic piece of Hungarian history back. Charles IV was the largest paddle steamer ever built in Hungary. The boat was taken out of service after several decades of service in the late seventies.

The iconic Charles IV boat

The iconic Charles IV paddle steamer was built by Ganz and Partner Danubius Electric Machinery, Wagon and Shipyard Co. Ltd. between 1916 and 1917. The boat was 77.4 metres long and 15.29 metres wide. Its interior was luxuriously ornate following its contemporary design trends. It was originally named after the then-reigning Hungarian King Charles IV.

However, the boat went through many name changes. In 1919, it was renamed ‘Sas’ (eagle in Hungarian). After that, it was renamed ‘Szent Imre’ in 1930 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the death of Saint Emeric of Hungary. After the Second World War, it was renamed yet again. It received a quite symbolic name ‘Felszabadulás’ (meaning liberation). In 1978, it was renamed to Szőke Tisza II, however at that time, it no longer operated as a cruise ship.

Here is a photo of the boat from 1959:

Source: Fortepan / Gál József

Paddle steamer boat as an interactive attraction

As 24.hu reported, Hungarian businessman József Kreinbacher envisioned the steamer as an interactive attraction open to the public. In addition, it will also be used as an event venue on the Danube. Antal Rogán has previously stated that the steamer Charles IV would also function as a hotel, but Kreinbacher partially denied this. According to the project’s developer, the 80-metre-long museum and event boat will be built to showcase in Budapest, at the Pest side of the iconic Chain Bridge.

Funds

József Kreinbacher’s company, Chain Bridge Experience Ltd., received a HUF 5 billion (EUR 13.1 million) tourism grant for attraction development. However, nor the businessman nor the Hungarian Tourism Agency is willing to reveal any details about this investment. Antal Rogán confessed that the Hungarian state is partially funding the renovation of the Charles IV steamer. Kreinbacher also told Telex that he would like to avoid publicity, as it is better for business, even though he is one of the richest men in the country, and his business affairs have been going quite well lately. In addition, Kreinbacher wanted to announce this one-of-a-kind project in his own way. Kreinbacher thinks of this project rather as a mission. He is hopeful that this fantastic attraction would generate its operating costs.

How will the boat get to Budapest?

In 2000, the boat was moved to a bay near Szeged. Due to the lack of care there, it eventually deteriorated to an unsalvageable state. The once splendid steamer is now a wreck, it is barely rising out of the water. According to some sources, the boat will be renovated in Komárno. Even if the water is right when it is arriving to the Hungarian capital, it will be towed. It might not require further explanation, but most people would not appreciate the pollution of the steamer in service. The ship would have to be towed back for regular technical inspection every ten years.

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