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

The span is impressive even at this narrow stretch of the Danube

not a proper suspension bridge on account of its special auxiliary supports. The Elizabeth Bridge remained the record holder until 1945, when it, along with all the other bridges of Budapest, became a victim of the war.

CJntil 1960 the truncated remains of the beautiful, world-famous Elizabeth Bridge stood as a stark reminder of the merciless destruction of Budapest during World War II. Then the remains of the structures on the riverbanks were demolished and preparations for the construction of a new cable bridge were begun. Another masterpiece, a worthy successor to the old bridge, famous all over the world, was created. The slender structure was designed by Pál Sávoly. All the 30 cables of its cable bundles consist of 30 steel wires of Z, 48 wedge and 37 pear- shaped profiles. Its total weight only slightly exceeds 1000 tons, a structure supporting twenty-nine 90- ton-apiece parts which make up the carriageway. The last piece was lifted in place by giant cranes at 9 a.m. on 15 July 1964. The bridge, as the last to be rebuilt across the Danube, was opened on 20 November. The war was finally over.

Since then the Elizabeth Bridge has been examined and renovated twice. From the mid 70s on the bridges of Budapest have undergone strict and reg44