Liberty Bridge (Budapest)

Liberty Bridge Szabadság híd
Crosses	Danube
Locale	Budapest
Characteristics
Total length	333.6 m (1,094 ft)
Width	20.1 m (66 ft)
Piers in water	2
History
Architect	János Feketeházy
Construction begin	1894
Construction end	1896
Rebuilt	1945

Szabadság híd (in English: Liberty Bridge or Freedom Bridge) in Budapest, Hungary, connects Buda and Pest across the River Danube. It is the third southernmost public road bridge in Budapest, located at the southern end of the City Centre. It was originally named Ferenc József híd (Franz Joseph Bridge).

At its two ends are two public squares, Gellért tér (at the foot of Gellért Hill, with the Gellért Spa and Hotel Gellért) and Fővám tér (with the Great Market Hall).

History

Once they handed over to the Margaret Bridge, the state revenue has increased significantly. If the tax proceeds annual income is more than 650.000 Ft, the state have to build a fourth bridge, which finally occurred in 1890.^[1]

Construction

The bridge was built between 1894 and 1896 to the plans of János Feketeházy. Although radically different in structure (it is a cantilever truss bridge with a suspended middle span) , the bridge imitates the general outline of a chain-type bridge, which was considered an aesthetically preferable form at the time of construction. The bridge was opened in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph; the last silver rivet on the Pest abutment was inserted into the iron structure by the Emperor himself, and the bridge was originally named after him.

Dimensions and decorations

The bridge is 333.6 m in length and 20.1 m in width. The top of the four masts are decorated with large bronze statues of the Turul, a falcon-like bird, prominent in ancient Hungarian mythology.

Traffic

Many trams used to cross the twin-road bridge, which was also heavily burdened with car traffic, and there is an initiative to convert it to a pedestrian-only crossing now that the fourth underground metro line is completed.

See also

• Bridges of Budapest
• List of crossings of the Danube River

References

External links

• DBridges - Szabadsg hd
• Photos of Budapest bridges
• Budapest Tourism Office on Szabadsg hd
• Freedom Bridge at Structurae
• Picture
• Four more photos: (1), (2), (3), (4)
• Bridges of Budapest - Liberty Bridge

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Coordinates: 47°29′09″N 19°03′18″E / 47.48583°N 19.05500°E / 47.48583; 19.05500