Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Széchenyi Lánchíd
An 1849 bridge guarded by four stone lions, best after dark
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Tickets
- Free
- Address
- Pest end at Széchenyi István tér; Buda end at Clark Ádám tér, by the funicular
The first bridge to join Buda and Pest opened in 1849: two stone towers like triumphal arches, heavy iron chains slung between them and a stone lion at each end. Retreating German troops blew it up in 1945, leaving only the towers, and it reopened in 1949. Since the 2021–2023 restoration private cars are kept off, which makes the walk across far more pleasant. After dark bulbs light up along the chains, and from the middle you get the floodlit palace on one side and the Parliament on the other.