Budapest’s Chain Bridge to Light Up in Swiss Colors

One of Budapest’s most iconic landmarks will be illuminated in red and white on the evening of November 5 to mark the 80th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Hungary. A statement by the Swiss Embassy in Budapest highlights that the special illumination will celebrate the strong and multifaceted connections between the two countries.

The illumination is organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in cooperation with the City of Budapest and with support from the Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham Hungary) and its member companies Alpiq and Stadler to commemorate eight decades of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The date holds historical significance: On 5 November 1946 Switzerland’s newly appointed Minister to Hungary, Ernst Feisst, presented his credentials to the Hungarian Head of State, thus marking an important milestone in the restoration of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Hungary.

“I could not imagine a more powerful symbol to highlight the long-standing, deep and multifaceted ties between Switzerland and Hungary than illuminating Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge in Swiss colors. It beautifully reflects the motto of our anniversary year: Connected in Many Ways!”, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Hungary, Alexander Renggli said.

Klára Breuer, State Secretary responsible for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that “our national pride, the Chain Bridge, is illuminated tonight in the colors of the Swiss flag. This illumination does more than lend dignity to this special occasion. It also perfectly symbolizes the invisible yet strong bond and unbreakable friendship that have united the Swiss Confederation and Hungary for centuries. As the publication marking the 80th anniversary, issued by the Hungarian Embassy in Bern, so aptly puts it, our relationship can best be described by three concepts: freedom, cooperation and innovation.”

The festive illumination also coincides with another significant historical anniversary in Swiss–Hungarian relations: November 6 marks the birth of Ábrahám Ganz, a Swiss-born industrialist who became one of the key figures in the development of Hungarian industry in the 19th century. His foundry contributed to the construction the Chain Bridge, producing a substantial proportion of its cast-iron crossbeams. Today, the Ganz Ábrahám Economic Development Program bears his name. His life and achievements illustrate how Switzerland and Hungary are connected not only by eight decades of continuous diplomatic relations, but also by economic and personal ties that go back much further. Throughout 2026, the Embassy of Switzerland and its partners have been marking the 80th anniversary with a wide range of cultural, scientific and economic events. The program continues with concerts, exhibitions and the 4th Swiss-Hungarian Healthcare Forum on November 13 at Semmelweis University.