All the rains that Budapest has recently been gloriously bathed in are causing continuing problems. It seems that the downfalls have been wide spread across the region and as the Danube acts as the main geological conduit for all things water related that can only mean one thing, floods.

So far, it doesn't look too bad (well, Győr has flooded, children have had to swim through sewage in other parts of the country - but ignoring all that). As a precaution the lower bank of the Danube on the Buda-side of town (that's the hilly bit with the castle) has been closed off: Budán ma lezárják az alsó rakpartot.

So, if you were ever wondering why the part of town called 'víziváros' or 'water town' got it name it should be obvious. There's a long and noble history to that area being submerged, hence the fact that some buildings are well below the modern street level, which was raised to try and avoid the worst problems (see the pic. above left).

Although today only the area between Mozaik street and Margit bridge is being closed, they are expecting to have to close the whole of the Danube bank at the weekend. This area is that opposite Margít Island and the bridge, further up away from the foot of the castle. Perhaps it's time to raise all these buildings too?

If your Hungarian is improving you can read a good history of water town here: víziváros. Otherwise just look at the pictures and wonder at the beauty of the Hungarian language. Well, you can at least see what the flood of 1876 brought to the place (fifth picture down on the left).