| Margaret Island is 2,5 Km long and at its broadest part | | | | Bridge next to the charming Japanese Garden. The |
| there is a huge park 500 m wide. The island is one of | | | | Grand Hotel Margaret Island is situated nearby. The |
| Budapest's most popular places for walking, bathing, | | | | Open-air Theatre of the State Opera House where |
| amusement and sports. It is likely the once the | | | | opera and ballet performances and concerts are held |
| Romans occupies the island, for remains of villas and | | | | every summer is situated in the center of the island. |
| watchtowers dating back to Roman times have been | | | | The stage which is surrounded by ancient trees has |
| found here. During the Middle Ages the Templars of St. | | | | an area of 1,400 square meter. The Water Tower |
| John built the castle-monastery in the southern part of | | | | overlooking the theatre was built in 1911. |
| the island. The Dominican order was also established | | | | The former Premonstratensian chapel near the Grand |
| here, in which King Bela IV's daughter, (St.) Margaret | | | | Hotel is reconstructed historic monument of medieval |
| lived and died. It was from her that the Margaret Island | | | | origin. The 12th century Romanesque church was |
| at one time called Rabbit Island, received its present | | | | destroyed during the Turkish occupation and was |
| name. The medieval buildings were destroyed during | | | | reconstructed in 1930-1931 by making use of the |
| the Turkish occupation and only since the end of the | | | | remaining walls. (The south wall of the nave with the |
| 18th century has the island become a well-cared-for | | | | two windows ending in a semicircle is from the original |
| park. The owner of the island at that time Palatine | | | | building.) busts of prominent Hungarian authors and |
| Joseph planted here flowers, trees and plants and had | | | | artists line the neighboring promenades. In the middle of |
| summer homes built here. At the end of the 19th | | | | the Margaret Island ruins of the 13th century |
| century deep-drilling operations brought medicinal | | | | Franciscan church have survived. Recent excavations |
| thermal water to the surface and Margaret Island | | | | have uncovered additional sections of the sanctuary |
| subsequently developed into an internationally-known | | | | the sacristy and the former monastery. Next to it |
| bathing (SPA) and recreational area. | | | | stands the walls of Palatine Joseph's former palace. |
| Arpad Bridge spans the Danube river at the northern | | | | The church of the Dominican nuns (east of the Water |
| tip of the Margaret Island and there is a road leading | | | | Tower) is another monument worthy of interest. The |
| from it to the island. The length of the Arpad Bridge is | | | | evidence of the unearthed remains suggests that is |
| almost 2 kilometers and its length over the water is | | | | was originally one-aisled with en octagonal tower on its |
| 928 meters. It was completed in 1950 but has since | | | | western side. Beside it there stand the remains of the |
| been enlarged. | | | | convert yard the cloisters and convent halls. |
| Private cars can be driven onto the island only across | | | | The island can be approached from the south across |
| the Arpad Bridge and only as far as the car park next | | | | the Margaret Bridge built in 1872-1876 according to the |
| to the Grand Hotel Margitsziget and the Danubius | | | | plans of E. Gouin. The underground passageway |
| Thermal Hotel Margitsziget. However any part of the | | | | leading from the bridge to the Margaret Island was |
| island can be reached by means of bus, taxi (cab) or | | | | added in 1901. The bridge was blown up by the |
| mini bus service. | | | | fascists at the end of 1944 during rush-hour. It was |
| The Danubius Thermal Hotel was built on the northern | | | | rebuilt in 1946-1848.. (The N |
| part of the island near the road leading to the Arpad | | | | |