Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Road bridge over Danube River in Budapest, Hungary.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge spans the Danube between Buda and Pest, its deck carried by two pale grey stone towers with wide arched openings and flat caps. Long iron chains sweep between the towers, with vertical rods suspending the deck, which has a pale stone balustrade and slender lamp posts. Grey riveted girders and ornate lamp posts line the walkway.
William Tierney Clark designed this first permanent crossing over the Danube in Hungary, which opened in 1849 and connected Buda with Pest. After heavy damage during World War II, the structure was fully rebuilt in the late 1940s.
The bridge is named after Count István Széchenyi, who pushed for a permanent crossing, though it is usually called simply the Chain Bridge. Its name was officially given in 1898. The stone lions at each abutment, carved by János Marschalkó and installed in 1852, are a common meeting point; a Hungarian legend claims they have no tongues, though the tongues are simply not visible.
Pedestrian walkways on both sides allow visitors to cross the full length of 375 meters (1230 feet) on foot and take in views of both banks. In the evening, the structure is illuminated and offers a distinct sight along the river.
The design replicates the Marlow Bridge over the River Thames in England but at a larger scale adapted to the wider waters of the Danube. János Marschalkó created the lion statues at the abutments in 1852, though legend claims he forgot to give them tongues.
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