A two-lane suspension bridge, this engineering marvel was the first enduring link between Buda and Pest when it was built in the 19th Century. The bridge spans the length of the Danube river, measuring in at a total length of 375 meters (1,230 feet). It is regarded as the earliest permanent bridge built along the Danube's span. Construction of the bridge began in 1840 at the behest of Count István Széchenyi, and it opened to traffic in 1849. Across its existence, the bridge was renovated and almost completely reconstructed after suffering considerable damage in World War II. It attracted fair attention in 2001 when a native stunt pilot flew upside down under the bridge. Since then, it has also featured in several movies, novels, television series and pop albums, like Katy Perry's Firework. Today, the bridge twinkles enticingly under Budapest's night skies, dazzling along the expanse of River Danube like a bejeweled necklace.