The Smallest Link in the Chain

Óbuda and the Municipal Unification(s)

Abstract

Budapest was founded in 1873 through the unification of the cities of Buda, Pest and Óbuda, as well as Margaret Island (Act No. XXXVI of 1872). Óbuda lagged behind the other two cities in terms of population and economic power. However, as Óbuda had been in close contact with Buda in the 18^th century, it was already considered an integral part of the capital city of Buda in public opinion in the first half of the 19^th century. Although negotiations on the unification of the three cities had already begun in 1848, the minister of the interior, Bertalan Szemere, declared this by decree on 24 June 1849, but it did not come to fruition due to the failure of the war ofi. Instead, at the end of 1849, a decree announced the unification of Buda and Óbuda (in practice, the annexation of Óbuda to Buda). As the two cities did not unite completely, the joint operation was more of a hindrance to Óbuda until 1861. The inhabitants of Óbuda learned of the plan to unite the three cities at the end of 1870, and as a condition of joining, they stipulated that they would regulate their relationship with the crown and remain in the lower tax class. From January 1873, the representatives of Óbuda in the unification negotiations were mayor Pál Harrer, lawyer János Végh, chief physician Adolf Tatay and merchant József Molnár. In the united Budapest, Óbuda, together with the suburb of Buda, Újlak, became the third district of the capital.