Lánchíd

Lánchíd is a suspension bridge connecting the two sides of the Danube River in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. It is one of the city's most iconic landmarks and a major tourist attraction. Designed by English engineer William Tierney Clark, the bridge was built between 1842 and 1849 by the Hungarian Ministry of Public Works.

The Lánchíd consists of a single, elliptical span supported by four masonry piers in the river and two concrete piers on the land. It is 374 meters (1,227 feet) long and 21.5 meters (70 feet) wide, with a main span of 220 meters (722 feet). The bridge's design was influenced by the Isleworth Bridge in Middlesex, England, which was also designed by Tierney Clark.

Initially built to facilitate trade and transportation between Buda and Pest, the Lánchíd has played a crucial role in the development of Budapest. During World War II, the bridge was partially destroyed by the retreating German army in 1945. It was subsequently rebuilt and reinforced in the post-war period. Today, the Lánchíd is a Grade I protected cultural heritage site in Hungary and a symbol of the city's rich history and engineering heritage. With over 10 million pedestrians crossing it every year, the Lánchíd remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in Budapest, attracting visitors from all over the world with its striking beauty and historical significance.