Széchenyi lánchíd
Budapest
The Chain Bridge is the first permanent bridge over the Danube in Budapest. Opened in 1849, it joined Buda and Pest even before they became a single city.
A bridge wanted by a count
Before the bridge, people crossed the river on a bridge of boats. It was often damaged and had to be taken away. Then people were stuck on one bank for days.
Count István Széchenyi organised the building of a permanent bridge. Much of the money came from the banker Georgios Sina. Work lasted from 1839 to 1849.
What to look at from outside
The bridge hangs from huge iron chains. The chains pass over two great stone pylons, with a large arch in the middle.
At the ends of the bridge stand four stone lions, the work of János Marschalkó. Each one weighs more than ten tonnes.
Collapsed and rebuilt
In January 1945 the bridge collapsed, like all the bridges in the city. It was rebuilt and reopened on 20 November 1949.
Arriving in Buda
On the far side the bridge reaches Clark Ádám tér, the square named after Adam Clark. From there a tunnel runs under Castle Hill.
Between 2021 and 2023 the bridge was restored again. The lions too were taken away and cleaned in a workshop.
