 thumb|aerial view of the chain bridge the szÃ©chenyi chain bridge (, ) is a suspension bridge that spans the river danube between buda and pest, the western and eastern sides of budapest, the capital of hungary. designed by the english engineer william tierney clark, it was the first permanent bridge across the danube in hungary, and was opened in 1849. it is anchored on the pest side of the river to szÃ©chenyi (formerly roosevelt) square, adjacent to the gresham palace and the hungarian academy of sciences, and on the buda side to adam clark square, near the zero kilometer stone and the lower end of the castle hill funicular, leading to buda castle. the bridge has the name of istvÃ¡n szÃ©chenyi, a major supporter of its construction, attached to it, but is most commonly known as the chain bridge. at the time of its construction, it was regarded as one of the modern world's engineering wonders. it has asserted an enormous significance in the country's economic, social and cultural life, much as the brooklyn bridge has in new york and united states of america. its decorations made of cast iron, and its construction, radiating calm dignity and balance, have elevated the chain bridge to a high stature in europe. it became a symbol of advancement, national awakening, and the linkage between east and west. == history == thumb|left|laying the foundation-stone for the bridge (painted by miklÃ³s barabÃ¡s, 1864) [[file:lan
BelvA!ros-LipA3tvA!ros Bridges_completed_in_1849 Bridges_in_Budapest Bridges_over_the_Danube Industrial_archaeological_sites_in_Hungary Landmarks_in_Hungary Suspension_bridges_in_Hungary SzA(c)chenyi_family