The Chain Bridge, completed in 1849, was the first permanent bridge to connect the eastern and western sides of Budapest, uniting the hilly Buda district with the flat Pest side. It was designed by the English engineer William Tierney Clark and later modified by the Scottish engineer Adam Clark (no relation). The bridge was named after Count István Széchenyi, a key figure in Hungarian political and economic reform during the 19th century.

The bridge features a striking neoclassical design with massive stone pillars supporting ornate iron chains, from which the road deck is suspended. At the time of its construction, the Chain Bridge was considered an engineering marvel and one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

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