Greetings from Budapest
The lions on the Chain Bridge
The four stone lions that guard the entrances to the Chain Bridge in Budapest are very like the bronze ones in London’s Trafalgar Square. There are several legends attached to them. One legend tells that they are the guardians of Hungary and will come to life if ever the country is threatened. Another says that soon after their unveiling people began to comment that the lions were lacking tongues. The sculptor, János Marschalkó, responded that they do have tongues but they can’t be seen. However the criticism persisted and he became so upset by the criticism that he considered committing suicide by jumping from the bridge. In one version of this legend he goes ahead with the jump; in another version he has second thoughts and doesn’t go through with it. But whatever the truth behind the lions’ appearance I rather liked them.
36 Comments
wetanddustyroads
I think it’s quite a good version of the real lion (whether you can see the tongue or not). Hope you had a great time in Budapest.
Sarah Wilkie
I agree – I don’t think real lions have their tongues showing all the time anyway! Yes, we had a great few days there thanks, and perfect weather for sightseeing too 🙂
grandmisadventures
Great picture- I can’t wait to see more from Budapest
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – much more to come in due course 😀
Alison
Hope you enjoyed your break in Budapest. It’s still a place I’ve yet to visit
Sarah Wilkie
We had a great few days 🙂 The weather was excellent for late April, we found a really convenient apartment and I thought the city was just the right size for a long weekend!
equinoxio21
Budapest is very important these days. Hurray for Peter Magyar!!!
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed! Although we saw no visible signs, as tourists, of the recent big changes there.
equinoxio21
Those were real Democratic changes: “just go and vote”. And Magyar has not yet been sworn in. I think he will be next week. Should change a lot of things in Europe…
Monkey's Tale
It’s a sad story, because they are beautiful lions. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
They are, aren’t they?
Rebecca
I’ve crossed the Chain Bridge numerous times during several trips to Budapest. Although I’ve noticed the lion statues, I didn’t pay much attention to them while getting from point A to point B; looks like I’ll need to stop and admire them upon my return to the Hungarian capital! Thanks for sharing, Sarah 😊
Sarah Wilkie
I think they struck me because of their resemblance to the Trafalgar Square ones
Steven Mark Berger
Always a pleasure to read your posts. The information about the lions was new for me. Annie’s the one who loves the stories behind the photos.
What I remember most is how beautiful I thought the bridge was and the iron shoes on the Pest side. They’re inside me.
Wishing you good health,
Stay safe,
Steve
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Steve. We saw the shoes yesterday; I know just what you mean.
Marie
A lovely spot for a weekend break…. enjoy…
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, it’s been just right for a weekend break 😀 Heading home tomorrow.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
An interesting time to be in Hungary! We visited Budapest what I thought was a few years ago, but looking it up was nearer 10. We really liked it.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, we’re enjoying it a lot 😀 But no signs of the recent events that we’ve noticed.
Teresa
Oh nice, you are now in Budapest. Is it your first time? Enjoy!
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, our first visit. We go home tomorrow but we’ve had a lovely weekend!
margaret21
Budapest is very much on the list of places I want to visit. And I have a book to recommend! Julie Orriger’s The Invisible Bridge, largely set in WWII Budapest. It’s a book which has stayed with me, despite its being some years since I have read it.
Sarah Wilkie
I think you’d enjoy Budapest. There’s plenty of history to unearthed but in a pleasantly compact city. I’ll check out that book as I’ve been discovering more about that period here during our visit. Thank you 😀
margaret21
I really recommend it. That’s where my wish started from.
bushboy
Marvellous lions. I be more concerned about the blank stare than tongues
Sarah Wilkie
I know what you mean, their eyes arr a bit disconcerting!
Ju-Lyn
His expression is a gem! He looks so quizzical, like he is unsure about what’s going on …
Sarah Wilkie
Maybe he is!
the eternal traveller
I hope they never feel the need to come to life.
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed yes!
Egídio
How tragic that the sculptor would consider suicide! I hope he didn’t go through, as in the second version.
Sarah Wilkie
He didn’t – as I said, it’s just a legend of sorts, thankfully
restlessjo
They’re nicely ferocious, aren’t they? xx
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, just like our Trafalgar Square ones 😀
Sue
I be been over that bridge oh good few years ago but I don’t remember any tongueless lions!
Sarah Wilkie
There are four of them – two at each end!