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

The landscaped Március 15. Square with the monument of Queen Elisabeth in theforeground and Elisabäh Bridge in the background, postcard form the 1930s / HU BEL XVI 9.d.2.c 399

The history of Franz Joseph (today Szabadság) Bridge, and the new bridge at Eskü Square (today Elisabeth Bridge) are closely connected. The idea of creating two new bridges at these locations appeared in 1881, and an 1893 Act decreed that the building works could go ahead. As the Buda side of these two bridges are closely connected to Gellért Hill, they will therefore be examined in connection with that. The Pest side of Franz Joseph Bridge will be analysed in relation to the Market Halls. The development of Eskü (today Március 15.) Square generated a major debate at the turn of the 20th century. Major road-building work laid out todays Kossuth Lajos and Rákóczi Streets, to create a thoroughfare between Eskü Square and Keleti railway station (at the time the Central railway station).

The dismantling of this area of the city centre and the spatial development of the square were mentioned as urgent work in the columns of contemporary newspapers, at the time of the opening of the new bridge. In 1903 the Board of Public Works decided to create two small public parks around the bridgehead. One was supposed to be built on the southern side of the square between todays Klotild Palaces and the river, and the second one in front of the Parish Church. Construction of these green spaces was planned to start in spring 1904, at a cost of 10 757 krone.22 The two public spaces on the two sides of the bridge, with Apponyi Square (today Ferenciek Square) and the Klotild Palaces, has special importance in terms of city planning, and became one of the main squares in the capital.228

67