Description: Margaret Island in the Danube is situated between Margit hid to the south and Arpad hid to the north. A fertile spot which is two and a half kilometres long and up to 500 metres wide. The island has shady parks, good swimming pools, romantic ruins, pretty cafes and elegant hotels and restaurants; just the place to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city on a summer's day.
Despite its urban setting, the island is an oasis of tranquility. Private cars are not allowed but there are other forms of transport you can hire to get around. At the northern end of the island at Bringovar (Bike Castle) you can choose from a fun selection of vehicles such as pedal cars, electric cars, four wheel cycles, horse-drawn carriages and a tractor-train.
The Romans, the first to take advantage of the springs, established a park, a thermal bath and a fortress. Centuries later King Bela IV (1235-70) settled several religious orders here. These included a group of Dominican nuns, to whom he entrusted his beloved daughter, Margit (Margaret). The ruins and indeed the island's name date from that time.
Here, too, the Turkish pasha entrusted the ladies from his harem to eunuchs; this 'island of women' thus developed a legendary reputation in Christian Europe.'Palatin' archduke Joseph used the site for his summer residence, and had the botanical gardens laid out in 1796. His son Rudolph restored the Roman tradition of the thermal bath. After World War I, the island was declared a free public park.
Other attractions to visit on the island are the medieval ruins of the Franciscan Church and the Dominican nuns church and convent which are situated in a well tended park in the centre of the island. On the western side of the island, the Palatinus Thermal Baths have extensive open-air pools where nude sunbathing is allowed on the single-sex terraces. To the north, below the 57 metre high water tower, which you can ascend if you are not scared of heights, is the open air theatre which stages operas and concerts.
The Thermal Hotel, with therapeutic baths is open to the public and towers above the island's northeastern point: next door is a very stylish and elegant Grand Hotel. You can visit the luxurious cafes and restaurants even if you are a non-resident. After a coffee and a cream take an hour out to look at the picturesque and very attractive Japanese Water Garden which is close by. You can now drive to the hotels via the Arpad bridge.
To reach the the island take a Number 26 bus from Marx ter. If you are travelling by car, turn south midway across the Arpad hid bridge.
A pleasant and relaxing way to spend half a day walking on this tranquil island in the Danube. You could even finish the day off with a fine, hearty dinner at the luxurious Danube Grand Hotel.
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