Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gasworks

In the early 20th century fuel and lighting gas used in Hungary was manufactured from coal and because of the increasing consumption there was a need for modern, high capacity gas plants. The location of the gas plants was crucial, as they needed road, rail and waterway connection. The Óbuda Gas Works was inaugurated in 1914, it was the most advanced gas factory of the country producing 250 thousand cubic meters of gas every day. In the 1970’s natural gas became more accessible and cheaper and Budapest switched to natural gas. The Óbuda gas works was decommissioned in 1984.

The factory with its great colours and shapes might remind you of an abandoned castle with its four towers, they originally housed the turbines, control rooms and water towers.

What I personally love about the place is that because of the generosity of the original owners of the factory, residential buildings had also been built for the employees, so that they could live close to their workplace. Two locations were created, a villa neighbourhood for managers and a more simple housing estate for the workers. Walking around the early 20th century buildings is like a real time travel.

  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works
  • Budapest Urban Exploration: Óbuda Gas Works

A short video shot in the building showing its decoy before it was finally restored a few years ago.

Margaret Island

The largest Budapest park, the place chosen by princess Margaret when she gave up her life as a princess and started a new life in the monastery or an island where lepers lived isolated a long time ago; it is literally the favorite park of the Budapesters. I’m not a big fan of comparing places to other places but I can tell that it’s like our very own Central Park.

Unfortunately we very rarely include the visit of the island in the tours, because it’s a rather long walk from the city center. Still, when we do, my guests always appreciate it because it’s pretty, unique and it’s also an off-the-beaten-path experience.

The best method to discover the island is to rent a special bicycle for maximum 6 people. I’d suggest to ride all the way from the south to the north and not to miss the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, the small zoo, the Water Tower. Also, take some time to enjoy the music of the Musical Fountain.