Chain Bridge Dawn
by Joan Carroll
Title
Chain Bridge Dawn
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph
Description
A little while before dawn, the street lights were still on along the Chain Bridge in Budapest Hungary, but the lights along the suspension cables were not. To catch that beautiful sight, you have to be there in the evening. Still, this is a gorgeous and peaceful way to start the day in Budapest. The Sz�chenyi Chain Bridge is one of the top sights in Budapest as well as being a handy way to cross the River Danube between Buda and Pest, the western and eastern sides of Budapest. Designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark, it was opened in 1849, thus becoming the first permanent bridge in the Hungarian capital, after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. At the time, its center span of 202 metres (663 ft) was one of the largest in the world. The bridge's cast iron structure was updated and strengthened in 1914. In World War II, the bridge was severely damaged during Siege of Budapest, when retreating German troops blew up all bridges of Budapest, among them also the Chain Bridge on 18 January 1945, The bridge was destroyed nearly completely, only its pillars remained intact. In the Terror Museum in Budapest you can see a large grainy photo of the center section of the bridge totally collapsed into the river from this damage. After seeing the beauty of the bridge it is a very sad photo indeed. The decision to rebuild it was made in the spring of 1947. The inhabitants of Budapest were finally able to repossess one of the most renowned buildings of the city on 20 November 1949, exactly hundred years after its initial inauguration. Today it is likely one of the most photographed sights in Budapest, and for good reason!
FEATURED PHOTO, Landscape and Landmark Photography group, 10/12/14
Uploaded
October 9th, 2014
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Viewed 10,023 Times - Last Visitor from Ottawa, ON - Canada on 03/29/2024 at 5:34 AM
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Comments (98)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #4 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist. http://fineartamerica.com/groups/1000-views-on-1-image.html?showmessage=true&messageid=3172747
Maria Hunt
Oh, how I wanted to nominate this for 1000 views... but thought I already had!!! what a brilliant work, Joan. It is one of my favorite in your gallery. Brava, Joan F/L