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Széchenyi Chain Bridge (Szechenyi Lanchid)
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge is the oldest bridge connecting the two sides of Budapest across the River Danube. Opened in 1849, it was considered a triumph of engineering and played a huge role in the growth of the city. Admire the elegant classicist design of this cast iron suspension bridge that has become an icon of Budapest.
See the iron chains that lead from the top of the pillars across the bridge. Encounter the lion statues that guard the entrances. Capture photos of the bridge that incorporate its two large arched towers. Couples attach locks to the side of this bridge as a romantic gesture.
Make your way through the tunnel in Buda Hill to reach the beginnings of the bridge. The tunnel is roughly the same size as the bridge, which has a total length of 1,230 feet (375 meters) and a width of 49 feet (15 meters).
See the structure at night, when its towers are illuminated against the night sky. Stand in the center of the bridge for a view of Budapest’s skyline, with Buda Hill and Gresham Palace among the nearby highlights.
Note the inscription on either side of the bridge bearing the name of its 19th-century architectural supervisor, Adam Clark. Read the plaque on the eastern Pest flank that commemorates another architect.
The construction of the bridge took 9 years from 1840. It takes its name from István Széchenyi, one of the main proponents of the project. English engineer William Tierney Clark designed it as a larger version of his Marlow Bridge on the River Thames in London. Hear how retreating German forces blew up the bridge at the end of World War II. It was reconstructed in 1949.
The Széchenyi Chain Bridge connects Buda with Pest right in the heart of the city. It is to the north of the Elisabeth Bridge on the River Danube. Ride the subway to the Vörösmarty tér metro stop on the eastern flank of the river. You can also take a bus or boat to one of the stops near the bridge.
Guide to Exploring around Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Best Lodging Options Near Szechenyi Chain Bridge
Per night/room
May 3 - May 4
Prestige Hotel Budapest
Vigyázó Ferenc utca 5, BudapestLocated in Inner City Budapest, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Danube Palace and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. St. Stephen's Basilica and Parliament Building are also within 15 minutes. Arany Janos Street Station is 8 minutes by foot and Kossuth Lajos ter Station is 8 minutes.
Eurostars Danube Budapest
Asboth 9, BudapestLocated in Erzsebetvaros, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of St. Stephen's Basilica and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. Parliament Building and Buda Castle are also within 2 mi (3 km). Deak Ferenc ter Station is only a 3-minute walk and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street Station is 5 minutes.
Per night/room
May 3 - May 4
Hotel Clark Budapest- Adults Only
Clark Ádám tér 1., BudapestLocated in Castle Hill, this hotel is steps from Adam Clark Square and Budapest Castle Hill Funicular. Szechenyi Chain Bridge and Buda Castle are also within 10 minutes. Batthyany Place Station is 12 minutes by foot and Vorosmarty Square Station is 14 minutes.
Per night/room
Apr 5 - Apr 6
InterContinental Budapest
Apaczai Csere Janos 12-14, BudapestLocated in Inner City Budapest, this luxury hotel is steps from Las Vegas Casino and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. St. Stephen's Basilica and Hungarian State Opera House are also within 15 minutes. Vorosmarty Square Station is only a 5-minute walk and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street Station is 8 minutes.
Per night/room
May 3 - May 4
Iberostar Grand Budapest
Oktober 6. utca 26, BudapestLocated in Inner City Budapest, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Ronald Reagan Statue and St. Stephen's Basilica. Szechenyi Chain Bridge and Hungarian State Opera House are also within 10 minutes. Arany Janos Street Station is 5 minutes by foot and Kossuth Lajos ter Station is 6 minutes.
Per night/room
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Four Seasons Gresham Palace
Széchenyi István tér 5-6, BudapestLocated in Inner City Budapest, this luxury hotel is steps from Danube Palace and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. St. Stephen's Basilica and Parliament Building are also within 15 minutes. Vorosmarty Square Station is 6 minutes by foot and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street Station is 9 minutes.
Per night/room
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Budapest Marriott Hotel
Apaczai Csere Janos u. 4, BudapestThis family-friendly Budapest hotel is located on the riverwalk, within a 10-minute walk of Vigado Concert Hall and Szechenyi Chain Bridge. St. Stephen's Basilica and Hungarian State Opera House are also within 15 minutes. Vorosmarty Square Station is only a 4-minute walk and Deak Ferenc ter Station is 7 minutes.
Danubius Hotel Astoria City Center
Kossuth Lajos utca 19-21, BudapestLocated in Inner City Budapest, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Dohany Street Synagogue and Hungarian National Museum. St. Stephen's Basilica and Hungarian State Opera House are also within 15 minutes. Astoria Station is only a 2-minute walk and Ferenciek Square Station is 4 minutes.
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