Chain Bridge Pier
by Joan Carroll
Title
Chain Bridge Pier
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Digital Art
Description
A lovely view of the west pier of the Chain Bridge in Budapest can be had from the tram stop on the Buda side of the river and just south of the bridge. From this vantage point, the wall in the foreground shields the view of the roadway beneath. Along this side of the river, there is a bike and pedestrian path, making for a nice walk. Or, as we were doing on this day, you can wait for the tram taking you south to the other bridges or north for a view of the Parliament. This is a very popular spot for photos it seemed as just about every tourist, including us, stopped here to take photos or the dreaded selfie. The Szechenyi 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, Premium FAA Artists group, 3/23/15
Uploaded
March 22nd, 2015
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Viewed 3,010 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/15/2024 at 10:43 AM
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Comments (99)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #8 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.
Steve Henderson
A perfect setting for the image, Joan -- slightly off center, with the aqua cables leading the viewer's eye to the central structure. Wonderful!
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