Happy Birthday Liberty Bridge! A look back at its fascinating history – Photos
The Szabadság Híd (Liberty Bridge) was opened 123 years ago on the 4th of October. A symbol of Budapest, we look back its fascinating history.
Starting with trivia, the bridge has two interesting facts. At 331.2m, it is Budapest’s shortage bridge. More importantly, this was the first permanent bridge that was exclusively built from materials produced by the Hungarian industry.
It is also the only bridge in Budapest which still has the original tool booths on the Pest side.
As described by szeretlekmagyarorszag.hu, the plans for building the bridge were already in the works by 1885; a law was passed that a fourth bridge will be built across the Danube if toll profits from other bridges reached a certain level (650,000 forints at the historical rate).
For the 1893 design competition, 21 designs were submitted. In the end, bridge architect János Feketeházy’s plan was chosen and work began the following year. By December 1895 the foundations were laid, the pillars and piers were completed. The building of the metal frame was finished in August 1896, and the final rivet was hammered in by Emperor Franz Joseph during the opening ceremony on the 4th of October. Even though during the planning stage the bridge was referred to as Fővám Bridge – as it connected to Fővám square on the Pest side – the bridge was named after the Franz Joseph.
