The legend about the stone lions of the iconic Chain Bridge

Magyarorszagkul.nlcafe.hu reports that there is a legend about the stone lions sitting on either sides of the Chain Bridge that says that the lions do not have a tongue because the sculptor forgot to create it for them. The myth goes on by saying that when this rumor got unfolded, the whole country made fun of him and being ashamed, he committed suicide by jumping into the Danube from the bridge. Let’s see what is the truth is.

The Chain Bridge

First of all, let’s check out some facts about the Chain Bridge itself. The Chain Bridge was the idea of István Széchenyi and it was also thanks to him, that the bridge was finally constructed. It was him who got the architects for the project and it was also him who financed the construction and convinced the general public about the need for such a bridge. The construction started in 1839 and the bridge was finished in November 1849, a little after the execution of the 13 martyrs of Arad. It was inaugurated by Haynau and thus, the atmosphere was not the best at the ceremony. Only the soldiers drew up  and a handful of passers-by participated in it.

Furthermore, Széchenyi was not present either, because at that time he was treated at the Mental Insitution in Döbling, as his vision about the death of the nation and his own pang of conscience consumed him, and thus he became a broken man.

As far as the lions are concerned, they were placed on either side of the bridge in 1852. The sculptor, János Marschalkó was satisfied with his work until Jakab Frick, a shoemaker apprentice cried out loudly that the lions have no tongue.

About the rumor

The rumor dispersed very quickly and after some time, the whole city gossiped about the fact that the sculptor forgot to create the tongues for the lions.