architecture

Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) was the first permanent bridge across the Danube in Budapest built owing to Count István Széchenyi, the very remarkable figure in Hungarian history.

This symbol of Budapest reproduced on many souvenirs and postcards, opened in 1849, though it was year 1820 when Count István Széchenyi vowed to himself that he would have the bridge built. This vow he made when he received the news that his father died in Vienna. It was cold December, and pontoon bridge across the Danube was put out of use by ice-floes. Széchenyi got stuck in the Pest riverbank for a few days before he could dash to Vienna.

The wreck of the Lánc híd (Chain Bridge) during WWII.
Photo: J. Haldej
Source: MTI

Below is the photo of Lánc híd nowadays

A view of Erzsebét Bridge from the statue of St. Gellért.
Photo: Zoltan Seider
Source: Museum of Hungarian Architecture

Below is the photo of Erzsebét Bridge nowadays

The wreck of the Franz Josef (Szabadság) bridge during WWII.
Source: Committee for the Protection of Historic Monuments

Below is the photo of Szabadság Bridge nowadays