The must-see sights of the beautiful Margaret Island

The Margaret Island is a beautiful green spot in Budapest, which has been the meeting point of friends, lovers and colleagues for centuries. The Guardian recently shared an article, in which they call the island “a green haven in Hungary’s capital”. It is truly a fantastic hiding spot and a must-see sight in the city.

The eye-shaped island lies between the Margaret Bridge and the Árpád Bridge. The article describes it as a tree-lined sanctuary away from the crowds, and the best part is that it’s mainly free. It is dominated by nature: most of it is a landscaped parkland, enriched with a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a fish pond and a waterfall.

One of the main spectacles is the musical fountain found at the southern end of the island. It comes alive a few times every day and the water-jets dance to classic and contemporary songs. History lovers will certainly enjoy the medieval church and nunnery, kids will have fun at the zoo, while everyone can freshen up in the outdoor water park.

Photo: www.facebook.com/MargitszigetiZenélőSzökőkút

To continue the thread of Guardian’s article, we turned to blikk.hu’s collection of six things that you must see at the Margaret Island. The N°1 sight is definitely the multimedia fountain, which is a beloved date spot. It has changed a lot in recent years: the musical selection was expanded with a projection onto a 30×15 water screen, so the colourful light effects and the musical background are now accompanied with an amazing laser screening.

During the day, it is recommended to visit the renovated building of the Casino. It’s quite a historic place, where guests were entertained with field music four times a week, and where the horse tram started. The building was modernised in the 1930s and it started operating under the name Casino in 1937. During the siege of Budapest, it was the headquarters of SS. After some restoration works, the restaurant was reopened in 1949. When renovating the place, the executors turned to the original plans of Miklós Ybl. The onetime Casino is now the venue for different events.

Alsószigeti Nagyvendéglő/Casino in the 1880s – Photo: Fortepan / Budapest Főváros Levéltára

After dark, admire the first dynamic light garden of the capital city in the Flower Garden, in the northern end of the island. 100-140 years old trees get illuminated every night in different ways.

If you’d like to spend a night on the island, choose the Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget, which was built in 1873 based on the plans of Miklós Ybl. The neo-renaissance style, patinated building’s sophisticated interior and elegance radiates a peacetime, aristocratic atmosphere. Having dinner on the Széchenyi terrace and its centuries-old trees is a special experience.

Photo: Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget

Another must-see sight is the Japanese garden, where a statue of a girl has been sitting among the lotuses since 1954. However, if you’d like to spend your time on the island more actively, then opt for the outdoor fitness park, where you can work out for free. It’s a great way to get your body moving in the fresh air.

The Japanese Garden – Photo: Wiki Commons By Rimanóczyjeno

Last but not least, the Budapest Summer Festival and the Petőfi Literary Museum organises special literary walks on the Margeret Island on the 27^th of August and the 10^th of September to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of the birth of János Arany, one of the greatest Hungarian poets. The thematic tour guides you through the beloved spots of the poet.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/MargitszigetiZenélőSzökőkút

ce: ZsK

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/, http://www.blikk.hu/