Why visit / Interesting facts:
- One of the most beautiful bridges of Europe
- Architectural masterpiece
Time required: 20 minutes
Public transport:
- Metro Line 1: Vörösmarty tér station
Address:
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: mararie
Things you need to know:
- Chain Bridge was the first permament bridge over the Danube connecting Buda and Pest and setting the unification of the two cities in motion
- Count Istvan Szechenyi came up with the idea of a permanent bridge after being stranded in Pest for weeks because of the hard winter of 1820
- Construction, financed by Szechenyi, begun in 1836 and finished during the Hungarian War of Indepencence against Austria in 1849. The first ones crossing the bridge were Hungarian soilders
- Szechenyi collapsed mentally in 1848 and was unable to see his dream come true
- The Germans blew up the bridge in the siege of Budapest (1945); it was rebuilt in its original form by 1949, 100 years after its first opening
- The bridge takes its name after the huge chains that hold it up
- Two lions guard the bridge on both bridgeheads. According to the legend the sculptor jumped in the river after a boy pointed out on the official opening ceremony that the lions had no tongues
What to do there:
- Admire the beautiful Adam Clark Square and the tunnel passing under the castle at the Buda side of the bridge
- Do not miss the two stone lion statues guarding both bridgeheads
- Walk along the marvelous bridge and enjoy the splendid view over the city
- On the Pest side admire the Roosevelt square with its imposing buildings such as the Hungarian Academy of Science and the Gresham palace
Tips & Insights:
- The beautifully illuminated bridge and the surrounding scene is a highlight of any visit to Budapest
