Buza Péter: Bridges of the Danube - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1999)

Arches on the Chain Bridge

the bridge at a time. The reason of this order lies in the structure of the bridge, which was built to the most up-to-date standards but obviously could not surpass the level of technological progress available at the time. The inadequate strength of the crossbeams and the lack of a stiffening girder allowed the bridge to sway and rhythmic movements could easily pose serious risks.

Engineers solved this problem only during the major renovation of 1913-1915. Since then one cannot feel the thrill of the gently swaying structure when walking over the bridge.

There is another anecdote about the old Chain Bridge which should not be left unmentioned: the tale of the tongueless lions. Supposedly, their creator, the renowned sculptor János Marschalkó had carved the four royal animals guarding the abutments with this defect. Legend has it that when, during the ceremonial inauguration of the bridge a shabby shoemaker’s apprentice loudly proclaimed the lack of tongues, the public burst out in laughter and the ashamed master threw himself into the river to be drowned in the water.

The notorious sculptures were finished in 1852. The pedestal bore the inscripcion “Marschalko fecit

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