The Chain Bridge, the link between Buda and Pest

Published on May 6, 2024 at 11:00 am

The Chain Bridge is both the oldest and most famous bridge in Budapest. Also known as the Széchenyi Bridge, it links the Buda and Pest sides of the city. It lies exactly between the two greatest points of interest on either side of the city. On the Buda side, the castle and its district; on the Pest side, the opera house, St Stephen's basilica and parliament. Its location and history make it a key point in the city. Whether you're heading for the Buda district and its magnificent cobbled streets or meeting up with friends in the heart of Pest for a drink in an atypical ruin bar, the Chain Bridge can be crossed on foot or by public transport. This is your chance to admire an unbeatable view of the Danube and the monuments that line it.

Magnificent Chain Bridge in beautiful Budapest. Szechenyi Lanchid is a suspension bridge spanning the Danube between Buda and Pest in the Hungarian capital.

Summary

The history of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge
A popular icon of the city

The history of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

Until it was built in 1849, there was no choice but to cross the Danube by boat, or else you had to wait for very harsh winters to be able to cross on foot on the thick ice. But if the ice wasn't thick enough, it was impossible to cross, either by boat or on foot. It was these difficult climatic conditions that prompted the construction of the bridge. It was finally built on 20 November 1849, after 20 years of work. As in many cities around the world, the bridges were destroyed during the Second World War. The current bridge is a reconstruction that was inaugurated 100 years after the original, in 1949.

Beautiful view of the Chain Bridge over the Danube in Budapest, Hungary

A popular icon of the city

It's impossible to miss it on a trip to Budapest, and it's almost compulsory to cross it if you want to visit the city, or at least the Buda side. Even without crossing it, you can see the Chain Bridge by taking any of the tram lines that run along the Danube. The bridge is entirely pedestrianised, although some people don't really walk in the right place... In fact, in 2019, it was Will Smith who, during a challenge, climbed the bridge to walk on its height. He took the opportunity to say hello to his fans while listening to Drake's In my Feelings.

If you live on the Pest side of the city, taking a look at the bridge can be a good opportunity to cross it and visit the many monuments on the other side. The Buda Castle district is one of the city's must-sees, and can easily be combined with a visit to its museums. Inside the castle are two museums, the Hungarian National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. The first is devoted almost entirely to Hungarian painting over the centuries. As for the second, as its name suggests, it provides an opportunity to learn more about the history of the city and the country.

Budapest, Hungary - July 22, 2022: Interior of St Stephen's Hall in the Budapest History Museum at Buda Castle.

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Be warned, however, that many of the explanations are unfortunately only given in Hungarian, as is all too often the case in the city. On a similar note, don't be disappointed by the interior architecture of the museums - it's totally different from what you might imagine the inside of a castle to look like. Once again, this is due to the bombings of the Second World War, which forced the locals to rebuild the building in a completely different architectural style, as with many reconstructions in the city.

Budapest's Royal Castle and the Szechenyi Chain Bridge in Hungary.

On the Pest side, the building closest to the Chain Bridge is the Budapest Parliament, which is obviously well worth a visit as it is the symbol of the city. There are several reasons for this: when Buda, Pest and Obuda merged to form the Hungarian capital, the city carried out a number of major works, and the parliament building was the most ambitious of them all. As a result, it is also a symbol of the economic power of Budapest at that time. It is also the largest building in the country, a symbol for Hungary too. Parliament is the most emblematic monument and the one most associated with Budapest.