Csepely-Knorr Luca: Barren Places to Public Spaces. A History of Publick Park Design in Budapest 1867-1914 (Budapest, 2016)

Public Park design in Budapest during the second half of the 19th Century

Buda Embankments south of the Chain Bridge, photograph by György Klösz in the 1890s / HU BFL XV.19.dJ - 8/39

The two promenades along the river, the so called ‘Esplanade’ got to be a decisive element in the city. Along the river the areas of the newlybuilt bridgeheads were turned into green spaces as well, in some cases as part of the linear green scheme, in some case without reference to that. The building of Margit hid (Margaret Bridge) took place in the first few years of the operation of the Board. It was important from the point of view of the building of the Grand Boulevard, but it was also intended to ease the traffic on Chain Bridge. The Act enabling its construction came into effect in 1870, and in 1871 the Board announced the design competition.217 Forty-three entries were submitted, among them submissions by engineers from Great Britain, France and Germany. The winning entry was designed by Ernest Gouin, and the ornamental sculpture on the piers were created by Adolphe Thabard.218 The creation of a link between the new bridge and Margaret Island was made feasible after the publication of Act VII of 1899, and among the rea'sons appeared the use of the island as a public park.219

Plan of a flower bed on the Várkert Embankments / A Kert, 1900. p. 442. / ADT

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