Chain Bridge
The Chain Bridge is the oldest suspension bridge in Budapest and is the Danub River's most renowned, connecting both sides of the city, Buda and Pest. The bridge’s real name is Széchenyi, in memory of the Count István Széchenyi, who helped build it.
Before the iron structure was built, the Danube River could only be crossed by boat or by foot when the waterway would freeze over during winter.
The Chain Bridge was built mostly because it was extremely difficult for the boats to cross the river during the coldest months and Buda and Pest needed to be more easily connected.
The Chain Bridge took 20 years to build and was inaugurated on November 20th, 1849, even before Budapest became a single city.
Rebuilding the Bridge
The current Chain Bridge is not the same one that was built more than 150 years ago but rather a reconstruction of it.
During World War II, the retreating Nazi troops blew up all the bridges in Budapest. The Chain Bridge had to be completely rebuilt and reopened in 1949, exactly 100 years after it was first inaugurated.
Although during your trip to Budapest, you'll most likely see the Chain Bridge on countless occasions, the most beautiful view of the bridge is just after nightfall when the iron overpass and the Buda Castle are both beautifully lit up.
Transport
All tram lines that run along the Banks of the Danube river.
Metro: Vörösmarty tér, line M1 (yellow).
Nearby places
Rajkó Folk Ensemble (411 m) Danube Folk Ensemble (411 m) Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest (438 m) Budapest History Museum (495 m) Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (606 m)
