Bridge · Hungary · Restored

Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Széchenyi lánchíd

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is a mid-19th-century suspension (chain) bridge spanning the River Danube between Buda and Pest in Budapest. Designed by William Tierney Clark and constructed under Adam Clark, it features monumental rusticated stone pylons carrying cast-iron chains and a vehicular and pedestrian deck.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1840

Its prime

1852

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1852

What Széchenyi Chain Bridge looked like in its prime.

A long, low roadway suspended by layered cast-iron chain links and vertical iron suspenders between two massive rusticated stone pylons topped by classical cornices. Pale blue-grey painted ironwork contrasts with warm, ashlar stone piers and plinths; carved stone lions guard the approaches on plinths. The deck carries a low iron balustrade and room for carriages and pedestrians. The bridge spans the wide, reflective Danube with the terraced slopes of Castle Hill rising behind the Buda end.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1852.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Pest approach from Széchenyi SquareBuda approach at Adam Clark SquareMidspan on the pedestrian deckStone lion on its plinth at an abutmentBeneath the pylon arch from the riverbankCast-iron chain and suspension detailView along the bridge toward Buda CastleLower slope near the bridge's Buda end and adjacent square

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