Chain bridge section address. Chain bridge

It is the oldest capital bridge across the Danube in Hungary. It was built in 1849 and at that time was one of the largest bridges in the world. Its main span over the Danube was over 200 meters!

The initiator and main sponsor of the construction of the bridge was the Hungarian count Istvan Szechenyi, after whom this bridge was later named. The bridge was built by the British, and its prototype was a smaller bridge built across the River Thames in the city of Marlow in the UK a little earlier. By the way, the architect of both of these bridges is the same person - the Englishman Adam Clark. In general, many Englishmen were involved in the construction of the bridge, who came to Hungary with their families, since there were no local specialists who could implement such an ambitious project in Austria-Hungary.

The Széchenyi Bridge is a suspension bridge supported by massive cast iron chains, made in England, like the rest of the bridge decorations. From the side of Pest, the bridge starts at Istvan Széchenyi Square, near the beautiful historical building "Greshem Palace". From the side of Buda, the bridge is located near the lower station, where you can climb to. Connecting Buda and Pest, the Széchenyi chain bridge became, as it were, a symbol of a united Budapest.

During the Second World War, German troops blew up the Széchenyi Chain Bridge during their retreat. Only its massive pillars remained standing. However, after the end of the war, Hungary completely restored this important building for the city in just two years. The bridge was opened again in 1949.

Initially, the city authorities charged tolls for the bridge. Now the passage is absolutely free.

The bridge offers a beautiful view of the Danube River: from here you can clearly see the buildings of the Buda Castle.

Are you planning to travel to Budapest? Then read about what you can bring from there in our article about. Also, to plan walking tours around the city, we advise you to familiarize yourself with this selection. Don't know where to change money in Budapest and what is the Hungarian forint exchange rate now? Then see the article about in the capital of Hungary. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

Basic moments

The six-span bridge stretches for 375 meters, has a width of 14.8 meters and is supported by two river piers 48 meters long. Nowadays, it is a popular tourist attraction, which all guests of Budapest try to visit. The image of the Széchenyi bridge can be seen on the pages of guidebooks and souvenirs.

The chain bridge in Budapest looks very impressive when illuminated in the evening. The tops and bases of the piers are illuminated by powerful spotlights, while along the chains and along the edge of the sidewalks, bright light bulbs light up, the light from which emphasizes the expressive shape of the bridge.

Many legends and city traditions are associated with the old bridge. It is believed that those who sail under it on a ship can make a wish, and it will certainly come true. The inhabitants of the city are very fond of the Danube bridge and often call it the "Old Lady". Every year on November 20, Budapest celebrates the birthday of the bridge. In the summer months, on Saturdays and Sundays, the Chain Bridge is closed to traffic and fun fairs and performances are held on it.

History of the Chain Bridge

The well-known philanthropist and politician Count Istvan Szechenyi allocated money for the construction of the Chain Bridge, so the construction was named after him. The design of the suspension bridge was developed by British engineer William Turney Clark, based on a smaller suspension bridge across the Thames in the British city of Marlow.

In the middle of the 19th century, Hungarian specialists had no experience in building large bridges, and therefore the idea of ​​​​building was both supported and rejected. Those who doubted believed that the new bridge could not cope with the violent temper of the Danube and would surely collapse. Others feared that large masses of ice would accumulate under the bridge, they would block the riverbed, and flood the city. However, Count Szechenyi resolutely set to work and created a special Society for the construction of the bridge. It resolved organizational issues that arose, promoted the benefits of using the new bridge, and formed a positive public opinion.

The first piles were driven in in 1840. To carry out a difficult task, 800 workers with their families were discharged from England, who worked on the bridge piles for two whole years. Cast iron jewelry and chains were cast in England. All construction work lasted 10 years and was led by an engineer from Scotland, Adam Clark. Later, a square in Buda was named after him, which overlooks the western part of the old bridge.

The total construction costs amounted to a colossal amount for those times - 4.4 million forints. In order to get to the other side of the river, pedestrians paid 1 kraisar, those who walked with cargo - 2 kraisars, shepherds with animals - 3 kraisars, drivers - 5 kraisars and carrying large luggage - 10 kraisars. Only a few years later, a larger Nikolaevsky chain bridge across the Dnieper was built in Kiev, and the bridge structure in Hungary was no longer treated as a wonder of the world.

By the end of the 19th century, the load on the roadway had increased greatly, so the structure had to be strengthened. From 1913 to 1915, the Chain Bridge in Budapest was closed for reconstruction, during which the steel part of the bridge was reinforced.

At the end of World War II, during the retreat, the Nazis blew up the Budapest bridge. Only two pillars remained standing. In 1947-1949 the old bridge was rebuilt. It is noteworthy that traffic from coast to coast was restored on November 20, a century after the opening of the Szechenyi bridge.

Legends of lions from the Széchenyi bridge

In 1852, both entrances to the Széchenyi bridge were decorated with lion statues, which were made by the famous sculptor Janos Marshalko. The expressive sculptures were reminiscent of the bronze lions in Trafalgar Square and quickly became urban legends.

According to one of them, when the grand opening ceremony was taking place, the shoemaker's apprentice shouted at the attention of the assembled public to the fact that tongues were not visible at all in the mouths of animals. The embarrassed sculptor could not bear the insults and threw himself into the river from the new bridge.

Of course, there is little truth in this legend. In fact, Marshalko patiently listened to the claims about the absence of lion tongues and told everyone that lions are not dogs whose tongues are bound to fall out in the heat. Animals have tongues, but they are not visible from below, because the lions are mounted on stone blocks that are 3 meters high.

According to another legend, if a man passes between the statues on the Chain Bridge in Budapest, who has never, even in his thoughts, cheated on his wife, the stone lions will roar menacingly.

Attractions near the bridge

On the western side, immediately after the Chain Bridge, a tunnel begins through the Buda Hill, and its length coincides with the length of the bridge itself. Residents of the city joke that when a heavy downpour starts, the old bridge can be hidden in an underground tunnel.

Nearby, on the square named after Adam Clark, there is a memorial sign in the form of a stone zero 3 m high. From this place, distances are counted throughout Hungary and on the roads of this country. Here is the station of the funicular of the Buda Castle.

On the opposite side of the bridge, on the square, there is a monument to Count Istvan Szechenyi. Behind it you can see an elegant building built at the beginning of the last century in the Art Nouveau style. Once it housed an insurance company, and today it is a luxury hotel.

How to get there

The chain bridge in Budapest is located in the historical part of the city, opposite the hill on which stands the Royal Palace. It connects Adam Clark Square in Buda with Roosevelt Square in Pest. The bridge is easily accessible on foot from Kossuth Lajos Tér and Batthyány tér metro stations. Trams No. 2, 19, 41, TH and DH, as well as buses No. 16, 105, 216, 916 and 990 go directly to the Szechenyi Bridge.

Széchenyi Bridge

The first and main bridge in Budapest. The bridge is a symbol. The bridge is a calling card. The bridge, which was born before the city itself by 30 years. The bridge that united Buda and Pest and marked the beginning of the formation of a single center of the Hungarian state. The bridge, the importance of which for the inhabitants of Hungary and, especially, Budapest, cannot be overestimated.

Briefly about the history of the Szechenyi Bridge

According to urban legends, the hussar Istvan Szechenyi hurried to his father's funeral in Austria, but the ice prevented him from crossing the Danube and delayed him for a week. Young Széchenyi was late for the funeral. Then he vowed to build a bridge in Hungary that would connect the two banks of the Danube. How true this story is, no one knows. However, it is known that it was Count Szechenyi who was the initiator and main lobbyist for the construction of the first bridge across the Danube in Hungary.

Istvan Széchenyi is a Hungarian reformer who invested a lot of effort in the development of his native country. In particular, in the development of transport infrastructure. In particular, in the construction of a bridge between the cities of Buda and Pest, in order, by uniting them, to create the economic center of Hungary (as well as political, cultural and social, to which his other initiatives were directed).

At that time, the Hungarians had no idea about the construction of bridges of this level. Having neither knowledge nor technological capabilities, it was decided to look for them in the edges of the industry leader - the British Kingdom. There, an engineer was found who offered to create an enlarged copy of his already built bridge. Experienced workers were also hired there.

Interesting facts about the Szechenyi Chain Bridge

• The Chain Bridge was built in 1849 and was the first permanent bridge to connect the two banks of the Danube. At that time, it was the largest bridge in the world, and he bore the title of the New Wonder of the World. He wore it proudly, though not for long. Already 3 years later, the Nikolaevsky bridge was built in Kiev of an identical design, exceeding the length of the Szechenyi bridge.
• The lions reclining on the columns at both ends of the bridge were not originally planned, but climbed there in the same 1952.

The bridge acquired its name in honor of Count Szechenyi in 1898, on the eve of the celebration of the half-century anniversary of its opening.

During the Second World War, during the retreat, the Nazis destroyed the bridge almost completely (only the supports survived). The restoration was quite difficult, and the bridge was re-opened only in 1949 - exactly 100 years after the first opening.

The bridge symbolically takes its origin from Stephen Szechenyi Square, on which there is a monument to the latter and Gresham's palace, as well as the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (to which Szechenyi once donated the annual income from all his estates). At the end, it no less symbolically rests on Adam Clark Square, an English builder who supervised the construction of the bridge, who later fell in love with Hungary, learned Hungarian, moved to Hungary for permanent residence and married a Hungarian woman. The zero kilometer of Hungary is located on Clark Square, as well as the oldest in the world Budapest funicular, which lifts tourists to the Buda Palace.

It is interesting:

There is a belief among the people: if a married man passes between the lions of the Széchenyi Bridge, who has never cheated on his wife (and never even thought about it), the lions will roar. So far, there is no information that someone heard a lion's roar on the Széchenyi bridge. So hurry up: you still have a chance to be the first :)

Széchenyi Chain Bridge on the map

Sightseeing tours in Budapest

The Széchenyi Bridge, undoubtedly being the top attraction of Budapest, is included in all sightseeing tours of the city. It is more reliable to order one of them in advance, on a resource that has been proven over the years and by us personally:

Read also:

• All bridges in Budapest
• How to get from the airport to Budapest
• Where is the best area to stay in Budapest?
• 10 things to do in Budapest
• 12 unknown facts about Budapest and Hungary
• Budapest itinerary with map

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At the word Budapest, my eyes immediately chain bridge, it is he who is associated as one of the main symbols and attractions of Budapest. His image is very popular on all souvenir products. And when I went to Budapest for the first time, my dream was to walk on this bridge!

The bridge got its name Szechenyi lanchid- Széchenyi Chain Bridge) in honor of Count Istvan Szechenyi (in 1899), a Hungarian politician who invested a lot of money and effort in its creation. The construction of the bridge lasted 7 years, and when it was opened in 1849, the bridge was considered a wonder of the world.

The Chain Bridge played a huge role, as it is the first permanent bridge across the Danube, connecting the then separate cities of Buda and Pest.

It was Istvan Szechenyi who came up with the idea of ​​creating a permanent bridge across the Danube. The architect of the bridge was an engineer from England, William Clark, the construction on the site was supervised by his namesake, engineer Adam Clark from Scotland.

The length of the bridge is 380 meters. The continuation of the chain bridge is a tunnel through the Buda Mountain and the length of the tunnel is almost equal to the length of the bridge, which the people of Budapest joke about - if it rains, the bridge can be hidden in the tunnel :-)

Tunnel in Buda Hill

The extreme points of the bridge are Roosevelt Square in Pest and Adam Clark Square in Buda. On Adam Clark Square there is a mark at zero km and the station of the Buda Palace.

In 1852, pairs of lions by the sculptor Janos Marshalko settled on the chain bridge.

In history chain bridge there were also tragic times. During the Second World War, the bridge was blown up during the retreat of Nazi Germany. And two years before the century of the bridge, in 1947, the inhabitants of Hungary began a fundraising campaign to restore the bridge.

On November 20, 1949, the bridge was reopened. The design of the bridge was improved, which made it possible to widen the roadway.

Hungarians love their old bridge very much and celebrate its birthday on November 20th. The chain bridge is also a symbol of Hungary's independence, since. it was on it that demonstrations took place in 1898, the results of which were the fall of the communist regime.

It is pleasant to walk along the chain bridge at any time. In the evening, the bridge is lit up and looks amazing.

There are quite a few legends and signs associated with the chain bridge.

One of the legends says that the sculptor Janos Marshalko did not make tongues for the lions. When rumors about this spread among the townspeople, the sculptor allegedly threw himself into the river out of shame, shouting to the boy who reproached him: “Let your wife have the same language as my lions!”. In reality, lions have tongues, we just look from below and they are not visible!

And it is also believed that if a husband passes between the lions on the bridge, never, even in his thoughts, cheating on his wife, then the stone lions will come to life and roar! But so far it hasn't happened...

And the Budapest chain bridge brings good luck! If you sail under the bridge on a ship, be sure to make a wish! They say it will come true! I haven’t tested this yet, so I don’t know… But I know for sure that if you make a wish while inhaling at the entrance to the tunnel, and don’t breathe while driving through the tunnel, then the wish will come true. I checked this, the wish came true :-) but I do not advise you to rehearse on weekdays at rush hour, when traffic on the bridge and tunnel is very slow!

In Budapest there is an unusually beautiful and ancient crossing - the Szechenyi Bridge or, as the townspeople call it, the Old Lady.

History of occurrence

The Széchenyi Bridge was the first permanent bridge spanning the Danube River. The beginning of its operation, which took place in 1849, made it possible to connect two disparate corners of the city - Buda and Pest. The crossing bears the name of a well-known Hungarian politician who gave a lot of money for its creation. And not in vain, at the time of its discovery, it was considered almost one of the wonders of the world. The author of the project was the British William Tierney, and Adam Clark was in charge of the process. The lions, the creations of Janos Marshalko, appeared in 1852, and the crossing began to be called the Széchenyi Bridge in 1898. The structure was restored and strengthened in 1914. During World War II, the retreating Nazis blew up the bridge. It was restored in 1949. In 2001, the Hungarian Peter Beschenjen flew in an overturned plane under the crossing. His trick became part of the Red Bull competition. You can even see the crossing in some films, for example, in the film "I'm a Spy." By the way, there are many stories associated with the bridge. One of them is about Janos Marshalko, who did not make tongues for the lions and, tired of the reproaches of the townspeople, drowned himself in the Danube. In reality, lions have tongues, they just cannot be seen from below. Another legend says that when a man who never cheated on his wife (even in his thoughts) passes under the bridge, the revived lions will make a loud roar. It is believed that the Szechenyi Bridge can bring good luck, sailing under it, you should definitely make a wish. The ancient design has really experienced a lot in its lifetime. No wonder it has become a symbol of the city and has earned a reverent attitude from its residents. Not surprisingly, the people of Budapest annually celebrate the birthday of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge on November 20th.

Architecture

The bridge, 375 meters long, is made of stone and wrought iron. Its width is slightly less than 13 meters, and the length of the largest span is 202 meters. The crossing connects Roosevelt Square in Pest and Adam Clark Square in Buda. The continuation of the bridge is considered to be a tunnel that stretches through the Buda Hill with the Royal Palace. The area between the bridge and the tunnel has a zero kilometer mark. This means that it is located in the very heart of Europe. The roadbed of the crossing is supported by iron chains hanging from two 48-meter river piers. At the entrances to the bridge, majestically stand stone lions, decorated with the coats of arms of the Széchenyi and Shin families (the Buda part).

Neighborhood

One of the must-see places in Budapest is the Herend store. His hand-painted porcelain has won many awards at exhibitions. His dishes and services are never in demand. Among the huge number of admirers are the powers that be - kings and sultans. One of the most famous hotels in Budapest is the Four Seasons. Its rooms have everything you need: TVs and telephones, air conditioners and minibars, safes and hair dryers. Visitors can relax in the sauna, relax in the pool, visit the bar, use the business center or conference room. Parking is available on site.

Note to the tourist

Take a look at the Széchenyi Bridge in the evening. At this time, it is especially beautiful due to spectacular lighting. In summer, on weekends, the bridge is closed to cars, because fairs and performances take place on its territory. The best way to see all the bridges of Budapest is an hour-long trip on a sightseeing boat. It will allow you to see not only the crossings, but also the capital's palaces, islands and shores of Budapest.