Bridges of Budapest (hidak), Budapest

There are plenty of ( cheap, expensive & free) things to do around Budapest, but one shouldn't miss Danube's bridges. Either by foot (free) or on tram ( costs as much as a tram ticket!) one should definately cross them day and night, more than once. The one I really loved was the "freedom Bridge", with a splendid view of the Gelert hotel, especially at night. For the best view of the Parliament, choose the "Chain Bridge". Don't miss them!

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The chain bridge is one of the iconic images which identifies Budapest. It's not actually that old as it was only started in the middle of the nineteenth century (it is a suspension bridge after all!) but it was the longest bridge in Europe at the time of it's construction. It was also the first permanent bridge linking Buda with Pest and so played a major part in the unification of the city and it's development. The bridge was commissioned by Count István Széchenyi but was designed by British William Tierney Clark and built by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark (they weren't related). A plaque at the Pest end of the bridge says that this is one of only two of William Tierney Clark's bridges survive - this one and the bridge over the Thames at Marlow which has a very similar design.

Besides being a landmark in itself and a useful way to get between the main sightseeing areas of Pest and Buda there are also some great photo opprtunities to be had from the bridge - day or night.

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Elizabeth's Bridge (Erzsébet híd) will lead you from Pest to Gellert Hill. It is a modern suspension bridge, always full of traffic, but with a convenient sidewalk for pedestrians.
It connects Pest and Buda at the narrowest point of the Danube in the Budapest area.

The view of Erzsébet híd from Gellert Hill is impressive. There is a great view from the bridge towards the Castle Hill of Buda (see photo).

The bridge bears the name of Empress Erzsébet, wife of Franz Josef, empress of Austria and queen of Hungary, who is loved and even adored by the Hungarian people.
At the base of the bridge, on the Buda side, there is a small park with a bronze statue of the beloved Erzsébet, with the inscription: "Erzsébet Kiralyne, 1837-1898".

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The Elizabeth Bridge is the most elegant bridge of Budapest, attracting the well-deserved attention of tourists due to its charming shape and snow-white color. The Március 15-e Square hosting the most ancient church of Budapest and the famous restaurant "Mátyás Pince" are situated at its Pest end. From here, the M3 station "Ferenciek tere" is no more than a five minutes' walk.

The Buda end of the bridge runs straight into the foot of Gellért Hill with the statue of St. Gellért who was thrown to his death from the hill by rebellious heathens in 1046. At the northern side, there is a nicely arranged park with a bronze statue of the eponym Queen Elizabeth. The baths Rác and Rudas are also to be found in this neighborhood.

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Liberty Bridge is the third and shortest bridge of Budapest. It was built for the Millennium World Exhibition in 1896, its original name being Francis Joseph Bridge.
As Liberty Bridge is the shortest bridge in Budapest, you can easily walk across it over the Danube in a couple of minutes.
Having reached the Buda end of the bridge, you get to Gellért Square at the foot of Gellért Hill, hosting Hotel Gellért famous for its thermal water. At the right side of the Hotel, you can find the Cave Church with the statue of Stephen I before it. From here, the top of Gellért Hill with the Citadella and the Liberty Statue, standing proudly over Budapest, are only a 15-20 minutes' comfortable walk.

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The Liberty Bridge connects Buda and Pest across the River Danube. It is the third southernmost public road bridge in Budapest, located at the southern end of the City Centre.
At its two ends are:
Gellért tér (at the foot of Gellért Hill, with the Gellért Spa and Hotel Gellért) and
Fővám tér (with the Great Market Hall and the nearby Budapest University of Economics)

Chain bridge or Szechenyi lanchid was the first bridge built to connect Pest and Buda which were still separate cities at its construction in 1849.

It is 375 metres long and 16 metres wide suspension bridge. Later it became a symbol of Hungarian liberty from Communism under people demonstrated in 1989. It is very Ornate and has magnificent Lion statues adorning it at each end. At the Buda end is Adam Clark Square with the funicular railway leading up Castle hill to Buda Castle. The bridge is very beautiful at night with splendid lights making it glow! In the weekends from July to August, only foot traffic is allowed during the summer festival which is how we found it, full of stalls and street vendors, quite an atmosphere. The bridge was blown up at the end of WWII but was reconstructed in 1949.

Legend says: The person who designed the lions for the Chain Bridge in Budapest had made a promise to the city that the lions will be flawless. He claimed this with such confidence that he told everyone if there is any flaw in the lions, he'll jump off the Chain bridge. Yes the lions are perfect with one slight exception! They have no tongue.
The artist did jump off the Chain bridge and not sure if he died or not because of this. Now you know the legend behind the four lions. There are two lions on each side of the bridge.

I found a huge picture of the lion here:
http://private.addcom.de/BudapestFoto-CD-ROM/jpg.Budapest%20by%20night/Lanchid%20%20Best%20of%201.jpg

The bridge was built: from 1839 to 1849 by Széchenyi István. There are other bridges in Budapest, crossing the river. This is still Budapest’s oldest and most famous bridge.
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