The first permanent bridge over the Danube, a symbol of
Budapest was built in 1839-1849 on the initiative of Count István Széchenyi.
It was designed by an Englishman William Tierney Clark, and built by his namesake Adam Clark. The first carriage which used the bridge still under construction during the War of Independence carried the Hungarian crown from Buda under siege to Debrecen.
Later, the Austrian troops wanted to explode it but this attempt was forestalled by Adam Clark, who flooded the chain chambers filled with explosives. It was blown up in World War II, and re-opened on 20 November 1949, exactly 100 years after the first inauguration. The 350 meter long Tunnel, running from the foot of the bridge under the Castle Hill, was opened in 1856.