Szechenyi Lanchid
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Why go
- The stone lions at both bridgeheads, carved by János Marschalkó and in place since 1852.
- The Széchényi family coat of arms on the pedestal of the right-hand lion at the Buda end, with the motto 'Si Deus pro nobis, quis contra nos'.
- The two arch-like pillars that the iron chains run through, built in classicist style.
- Széchenyi never walked across it; after a collapse in 1848 he spent his last years in a clinic.
- The plaque on the Pest side that names it one of only two surviving bridges by William Tierney Clark.
Know before you go
- On summer weekends and some holidays, vehicles are kept off the bridge and it is given over to pedestrians.
Tips for your visit
- Start on the Pest side at Széchenyi Square, beside Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
- On the Buda side, Adam Clark Square lies near the Castle Hill Funicular, which leads up to Buda Castle.
Best time to visit
- The bridge has been illuminated since 1957, so it is lit after dark.
With kids
- The two stone lions at the bridgeheads are the thing to look for. A Hungarian legend says they have no tongues; they do have them, though they are hard to see.
- The two lions were restored in 2021 and 2022.
Interesting facts9
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2001
A stunt pilot, Péter Besenyei, once flew upside down beneath the span, in 2001.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge - Wikipedia -
30 years
For 30 years the 202-metre span between its pylons was the longest of its type.
Széchenyi-Kettenbrücke - Wikipedia -
The bridge's cost was about thirteen times that of the Nemzeti Múzeum, built at the same time.
Széchenyi lánchíd - Wikipedia -
200 forint
The bridge is shown on the Hungarian 200 forint coin.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge - Wikipedia -
The bridge appears in films, among them Music Box and I Spy.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge - Wikipedia -
1776
Before it, 46 pontoon floats formed a crossing between Buda and Pest each spring from 1776.
Széchenyi-Kettenbrücke - Wikipedia -
The forged chains travelled part of the way on the Main-Danube canal, after a sea crossing.
Széchenyi lánchíd - Wikipedia -
For a long time, it ranked as the largest chain suspension bridge.
Széchenyi lánchíd - Wikipedia -
The design of the stone lions is close to the bronze lions of Trafalgar Square.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge - Wikipedia
Shorts
How to get there
- BusBus 105 stops on both sides at the foot of Castle Hill, on the west and east.
- BusBuses from those stops reach the middle part of Inner Buda.
Sources: Széchenyi Chain Bridge - Wikipedia · Budapest/Belváros - Wikivoyage (listing) · Széchenyi lánchíd - Wikipedia · Széchenyi-Kettenbrücke - Wikipedia · Széchenyi lánchíd - Wikipedia · checked 17 Oct 2026
Questions and answers
How long is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge?
The deck is 375 metres long and hangs from iron chains. The span between its pylons is 202 metres.
Did people have to pay to cross the Széchenyi Chain Bridge?
Yes. When it opened in 1849, everyone using the bridge had to pay a toll.
Can you walk across the Széchenyi Chain Bridge?
On summer weekends and some holidays, vehicles are kept off the bridge and it is given over to pedestrians.
How do I get to the Széchenyi Chain Bridge from Buda Castle?
The Castle Hill Funicular, which leads up to Buda Castle, lies near Adam Clark Square at the Buda end of the bridge. Bus 105 stops on both sides at the foot of Castle Hill.
Is the Széchenyi Chain Bridge lit at night?
Yes. It has been lit up after dark since 1957.
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