Summer on the Chain Bridge

This morning we ventured down the Buda hills to the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd) which connects Buda & Pest. The bridge opened in 1849 as the first bridge of Budapest. At the time of its opening, its center span of 202 m was one of the largest in the world. The pairs of lions at each of the abutments were added in 1852. It is popular culture in Hungary to point out that the lions in fact have no tongues (see below).

Summer on the Chain Bridge is Budapest's largest outdoor festival with lots of free entertainment programs, food, beverages, and vendor booths set up to display and sell the finest handicraft and folklore of Hungary's different regions. We saw lots of neat things and enjoyed strolling the bridge on a beautiful day. We purchased a few gift items (handmade soaps, etc.) for ourselves and gifts. We tried the pretzels, but returned home in time for lunch, so we didn't partake in the huge skillets of food, but it did smell good!

There was a photo exhibition hanging on big screens on one side of the bridge. The photographer has gone to small villages around Hungary and found people that have never been to Budapest, then photographed them in front of a night photograph of the Chain Bridge, as well as a photograph of preparing the photograph. It was very neat.

This was our second family outing on public transportation. It all went without a hitch! I think we are getting the hang of it.