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The Four famous bridges in Budapest, from the North are:
Margaret Bridge
Chain Bridge
Erzsébet Bridge
Liberty (Independence) Bridge
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Margaret Bridge From Matthias Church, Church of St. Anne on lower right,
and another church on the left
Margaret Bridge is the second northernmost and second oldest public
bridge in Budapest. It was planned by the French engineer Emile Gouin and
built between 1872-1876. Margaret Bridge became the second permanent bridge
in Budapest after the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This bridge leads across to
Margaret Island, its two parts enclosing 150 degrees with each other at the
embranchment towards the island. The reason for this unusual geometry lies
in the fact the small extension to connect the Margaret Island was hastily
inserted into the original design, but not built until two decades later
due to lack of funds. It is 637.5 m in length and 25 m in width.
Behind the Margaret Bridge is the Árpád Bridge or Árpád híd.
It is the northernmost public bridge of the capital and
the longest bridge in Hungary, spanning about 2 km with the sections
leading up to the bridge, and 928 m without them. It is 35.3 m wide.
Photo 1488
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View from Castle grounds, Széchenyi lánchíd or Széchenyi Chain Bridge, day 13
The Chain Bridge is one of Budapest's most famous landmarks. The
magnificent suspension bridges the river Danube between Pest and Buda, at
the time still separate cities.
The first connection between Pest and Buda was made by the Chain Bridge
or Széchenyi lánchíd, named after count Széchenyi, who took the initiative
to build the bridge. In 1836 he gave the project to William Tierney Clark
and Adam Clark.
William Clark had already designed two suspension bridges over the
Thames; the Hammersmith Bridge in London and the Marlow Bridge. The latter
is a similar albeit smaller version of the bridge William Clark would
design for Budapest. The construction of the Chain Bridge was supervised by
the Scottish engineer Adam Clark (not related).
The 375 meter long and 16 meter wide bridge, a superb engineering
feat, was opened on november 20, 1849. In 1857 Adam Clark dug a 350 meter
long tunnel through the Castle Hill to connect the bridge with the Buda
hinterland.
Photo 1419
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View from Castle grounds, Erzsébet Bridge
Erzsébet Bridge is the second newest bridge and one of the most
elegant ones of Budapest. It is situated at the narrowest part of the
Danube, the bridge spanning only 290 m.
The original Erzsébet Bridge (built between 1897 and 1903), along with
many other bridges all over the country, was blown up at the end of World
War II by retreating Wehrmacht sappers. This is the only bridge in Budapest
which could not be rebuilt in its original form. Pictures and some salvaged
elements from the old bridge can be seen on the grass in front of the
Museum of Transport in City Park.
The currently standing slender white cable bridge was built on the very
same location between 1961–1964, because the government could not afford to
construct entirely new foundations for the bridge.
Photo 1423
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More photos on Erzsébet Bridge
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The Liberty Bridge
Built in 1894, the bridge spans the Danube and was opened in 1896 by the
Emperor Franz Joseph. There are two large pillars topping each tower
and on top of each is a mythical Turul bird. These can also be seen on
the Hungarian coat of arms.
The bridge is a steel construction, and it is a combination of a steel
arch (seen under the roadway) with extra strength provided by
cross members.
Photo 1345
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More photos on Liberty Bridge
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