Chain Bridge

Webgoddess
Webgoddess
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Editor Pick

Chain Bridge

  • March 17, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by LenR from Townsville, Australia
Chain Bridge

This is the most impressive of the bridges across the Danube. It was also the first, and hence it has a special place in the hearts of the locals. The bridge was opened in 1849 as a toll bridge and was immediately famous because Austrian troops tried, and failed, to destroy it. Later, bridge-builder Adam Clark built a tunnel from the end of the bridge under the Varhegy (Castle Hill). The bridge was blown up by the retreating German army in 1945 but was rebuilt to the original plans in 1949.

The 375m-long bridge runs between Roosevelt Terrace in Pest and Clark Adam Terrace in Buda. The 16m-wide stone and elaborately decorated steel frame bridge has a central span of 202m. Two stone lion statues guard both bridgeheads. In 1989, people demonstrated on the bridge for freedom and independence.

Today, the bridge is often jammed with traffic—clearly the two-lane structure is inadequate for the present. Fortunately, there are two walking/cycling tracks on either side of the bridge so visitors can walk across between Buda and Pest. The views from the bridge are excellent, and it makes a good vantage point for photographs of the river and the banks. At night the lights have been very effectively directed to highlight the bridges unique architectural and decorative features.

In the small park at the Buda end, there is a doughnut-shaped stone named Kilometre Zero, from which all road distances from Budapest are measured.

From journal The Buda in Budapest

Editor Pick

Chain Bridge

  • August 3, 2005
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Webgoddess from Burke, Virginia
Chain Bridge

Chainbridge (Lánchíd) was the first permanent span across the Danube and was constructed between 1842 and 1849. Ten years earlier, in 1832, Count István Széchenyi began to organize its construction. While visiting London, he became personally acquainted with William and Adam Clark, the builders of the bridge over the River Thames.

Completion of the bridge sparked the economic revival that led to the Golden Century for Hungary. It was also a prominent factor that allowed the provincial towns of Pest and Budato combine into a fast-growing metropolis.

In 1989, people demonstrated on the chain bridge for freedom and independence. It has since rightly become a symbol of both Budapest and Hungarian liberty. The bridge, however, did not escape the perils of war. As they retreated, German troops blew up the bridge in January 1945. The bridge was restored on the 100th anniversary of its inauguration, in 1949. New floodlights were installed in 1999 to mark the 150th anniversary of the bridge.

The stately lions at either side are symbols of strength and fortitude. Views of Pest from the bridge are spectacular, and the bridge is best traveled on foot. Bring plenty of film to takes lots of photographs as you cross the bridge on your way to the Buda castle district.

From journal A Magyar Experience

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