Szechenyi Istvan Square

If you’re looking for Roosevelt Square, ask for Széchenyi Square since it was officially given that name in 2011. The new but historic name honours Count István Széchenyi, who donated one year of his income in 1825 to establish the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, which borders the square. He also initiated construction of the Chain Bridge. Find the statue of Széchenyi that has been in place in the square since 1880, far predating Roosevelt’s presence.

The square was given its Roosevelt name in 1947 in tribute to Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his Allied leadership during World War II, helping to end the Nazi occupation of Budapest and Hungary.

The Four Seasons Hotel along the square occupies the neoclassical Gresham Palace. Be sure to view the outside and visit the lobby to see the stained glass, ironworks, mosaics and garden details that make this site a popular photo destination. The palace was built in 1906 and has served as an office building, aristocrat home, Soviet military residence and apartment building, all leading to decay of its original grandeur. In 2001, the Four Seasons hotel company purchased the building and turned it into a luxury hotel, restoring many of the original details.

The Roosevelt Square on the Pest side is connected to Buda by the Széchenyi Chain Bridge spanning the Danube River. Note the resemblance of this bridge to the Marlow Bridge on the Thames River in England. William Tierney Clark designed both. This is the first of eight bridges built in Budapest. It was opened in 1849, providing significant enhancement to merging of Buda and Pest economies. During World War II, the bridge was badly damaged and was rebuilt to reopen in 1949, 100 years after its original construction.

Enjoy the night view of the illuminated bridge and Buda Castle from Roosevelt Square or from a Danube River boat cruise. You can easily walk across the 1,230 feet (375 metres) from Pest to Buda and look back to see the view of Roosevelt Square and Parliament slightly to the north.

The square and bridge are both open at all times.