Káposztásmegyer

Across the Danube, the name Káposztásmegyer whispers tales of cabbages and kings. Káposztásmegyer, a name that translates to “Cabbage-Megyer,” speaks to a time when fields of cabbages thrived on this sandy soil. This area in Budapest’s 4th district wasn’t always a bustling residential area. Anonymus, the chronicler of Hungarian history, mentions Káposztásmegyer and its counterpart, Békásmegyer, as strategic locations held by the Magyar tribes during the Hungarian Conquest. These points guarded the Megyer river crossing, a vital route across the Danube. Káposztásmegyer held this strategic importance throughout the Middle Ages. Early records from 1148 and 1253 refer to it as “Meger.” By 1377, István Szendy, a Hungarian nobleman, claimed ownership of Káposztásmegyer. The 15th century saw it pass into the hands of the Széchenyi family, then to László Guthi Országh. Sadly, during the Ottoman occupation of Hungary, the village of Káposztásmegyer met its demise. The 18th century brought revival under the Károlyi family as part of their Újpest-Megyer estate. Káposztásmegyer’s first noble villa arose in 1842, built by József Szekrénnyessy, a relative of the Károlyi family and confidant of István Széchenyi. This villa became a gathering place for Pest’s elite. Imagine the likes of Vörösmarty Mihály, Irinyi József, and other notable figures strolling through its English gardens. By the 19th century, Káposztásmegyer transformed into a summer resort, its population reaching 542. Royal stables graced the area, serving as the starting point for aristocratic hunting expeditions. Between 1912 and 1944, a horse racing track thrilled spectators. The Káposztásmegyer Waterworks, constructed between 1893 and 1904, boasted a daily capacity of 240,000 cubic meters. Its pipelines stretched 13 kilometers along the Danube and the southern tip of Szentendre Island. This waterworks remains operational to this day. Káposztásmegyer officially became part of Budapest in 1950 during the city’s expansion. The 1980s saw the construction of a large housing estate. The first residents moved in around 1984, marking the beginning of Káposztásmegyer’s modern residential identity. Today, the prefabricated concrete buildings stand as a testament to this era of expansion. Káposztásmegyer offers more than just residential blocks. Modern amenities include schools, cultural centers, places of worship, sports facilities, and convenient public transport. It is a thriving community within Budapest, preserving its rich history while embracing modern life.