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BRIDGES OF BUDAPEST (HUNGARY)

V. Ryan © 2003 - 2023

 
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and it has many interesting structures including bridges and buildings. The bridges are of particular interest not only as structures but also as historical monuments. The bridges provide crossing points over the River Danube, one of the most well known rivers of the world.
 
 

The Liberty Bridge

Built in 1894, the bridge spans the Danube and was opened in 1896 by the Emperor Franz Joseph. When driving on to the bridge two large pillars are seen 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 at first site looks like a suspension bridge. However, the construction is a combination of a steel arch (seen under the roadway) with extra strength provided by triangulation.  
 
 
 
 

The Chain Bridge

Construction of the Chain Bridge began in 1839 and it was designed by the English engineer T.W.Clark. The bridge took over ten years to build and it was the first bridge to span the Danube connecting the two halves of the city Buda and Pest. (Hence, the Capital City is called Budapest).

 
This is an unusual suspension bridge as cables have not been used. A large chain was used to span the river. The chain has links that are very similar to the ones seen on a bicycle chain. The road way is suspended from the chain. The diagram below shows the chain and how it has been used. The bridge is 380 metres in length.
 
 
 
 
 

The Elizabeth Bridge

The suspension bridge, called the Elizabeth Bridge also crosses the Danube and was the longest suspension bridge in the world when constructed in 1903. Construction took place between 1897 to 1903 and its total span is 290 metres.

 
 
QUESTIONS:
1. Draw a simple outline of Europe and draw the outline of Hungary Add the location of Budapest (the capital city).
2. Draw a diagram of one of the Bridges crossing the Danube in Budapest and include written detail.
 
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