A Városligeti Műjégpálya titkai – angolul

The Budapest City Park Ice Rink – Europe’s Oldest and Largest Outdoor Ice Rink

The Budapest City Park Ice Rink, known in Hungarian as Városligeti Műjégpálya, is one of the most iconic winter attractions in Hungary. Located between Heroes’ Square and the fairy tale Vajdahunyad Castle, it offers a magical setting for skaters of all ages. But the rink is not only beautiful – it also has an impressive history. It is one of the oldest ice rinks in Europe, and today it is considered the largest outdoor artificial ice surface on the continent.

Early Beginnings: The First Ice Rink in Europe

The story of the Budapest Ice Rink began in 1869, when the Pest Ice Skating Association was founded on November 12th. Only a few weeks later, the city’s first official ice rink opened on the lake in City Park. This makes it one of the earliest organized ice skating venues in Europe, and many sources consider it the first large public ice rink on the continent.

The rink officially opened to the public on 29 January 1870, during a ceremony led by Crown Prince Rudolf. At that time, the facilities were very simple. A small wooden building stood next to the ice, offering a place for skaters to warm up and change their shoes. Unfortunately, this first structure burned down in 1874, but it was soon replaced.

Ice skating quickly became extremely popular in Budapest. The Pest Ice Skating Association organized events, competitions, and social gatherings. The first official skating competition took place on 2 February 1870, only a few days after the rink opened. When Buda and Pest united to form Budapest, the association changed its name to the Budapest Ice Skating Association and continued to develop the sport.

Growth and Development Through the Years

The rink grew steadily throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As skating became a fashionable winter activity, more and more people visited the City Park Ice Rink. The location – right next to the picturesque Vajdahunyad Castle – made it even more attractive.

Over the decades, the rink underwent several renovations. Major modernizations took place in 1968 and again in 2011. These upgrades improved the ice quality, expanded the skating surface, and added modern facilities such as skate rental, skate sharpening, and heated changing rooms.

Today, the rink covers more than 12,000 square metres, making it the largest outdoor artificial ice surface in Europe. This enormous size allows hundreds of skaters to enjoy the ice at the same time, whether they are beginners or experienced athletes.

… a cikk folytatását a 2026 februári lapszámban olvashatod el nyomtatott formában (keresd az újságárusoknál, hiper- és szupermaretekben és benzinkutakon), illetve digitálisan itt az oldalon (digitális előfizetéssel). 

Most pedig nézd meg a videót és válaszolj a kérdésekre (“nyomkodós” kvíz)

Loading…