Margaret Island Explained

Margaret Island (Hungarian: Margit-sziget in Hungarian pronounced as /ˈmɒrɡit.siɡɛt/; German: Margareteninsel; Turkish: Kızadası) is a 2.5km (01.6miles) long island, 500m (1,600feet) wide, (0.965km2 in area) in the middle of the Danube in central Budapest, Hungary. The island is mostly covered by landscape parks, and is a popular recreational area. Its medieval ruins are reminders of its importance in the Middle Ages as a religious centre. The island spans the area between the Margaret Bridge (south) and the Árpád Bridge (north). Before the 14th century the island was called Insula leporum (Island of Rabbits). Administratively Margaret Island used to belong to the 13th district, but now is directly under the control of the city.

Its appearance today was developed through the connection of three separate islands, the Festő (Painter), the Fürdő (Bath) and the Nyulak (Rabbits), during the end of the 19th century, to control the flow of the Danube. Originally, the island was 102.5 metres above sea level, but now has been built up to 104.85 metres above sea level to control flooding.[1]


The island was called Insula leporum before being named after Saint Margaret (1242 - 1270) in the 14th century. Margaret was the daughter of Béla IV of Hungary, and she lived in the Dominican convent on the island.[2] Other names of the island were during 13th century: Nyulak szigete, Nagyboldogasszony-sziget, Úr-sziget, Budai-sziget, Dunai-sziget, during the 1790s: Nádor-sziget, Palatinus-sziget. (The names mean Island of Rabbits, Island of Our Lady, Island of Nobles, Buda Island, Danube Island, Palatine Island.)




Since the 1980s, entry by cars has been limited; only a single bus line and taxis, alongside the service traffic of local stores and restaurants are allowed to enter. On the northern end of the island a car park houses the cars of hotel guests.

Sports and recreation


The island has a rubber-coated running track measuring 5.35 kilometers (3.33 miles), and is popular among both locals and tourists.

Main sights

Sights in the island include:

The Music Fountain and the Water Tower are protected UNESCO sites.


External links

47.5333°N 22°W

Notes and References

  1.{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  2. Web site: Margaret's Isle, Budapest, Hungary, Austro-Hungary. World Digital Library. 19 January 2013.