Szechenyi Plate

Andrei Telteu
Mar 25
1 min read

The Szechenyi plate, dedicated to István Széchenyi (1791-1860), is placed on the mountain wall in the Danube Boilers area, commemorating the beginnings of commercial navigation in this spectacular region. In 1885, the Hungarian Engineers and Builders Union polished a section of the rocks near the Danube and engraved a text: “In memory of Széchenyi.”

This inscription was swallowed by the waters during the construction of the Iron Gates I dam and hydroelectric power plant when part of the Danube riverbed was flooded, along with Ada Kaleh Island.

Through his work, Széchenyi contributed significantly to the development of various fields but was particularly instrumental in making the Iron Gates section of the Danube navigable, as this part of the riverbed was full of rocks and whirlpools.

A 60-meter-wide corridor was created, and the riverbed was deepened by two meters.

He also made steamship navigation possible, which was a novelty at the time.

This allowed for longer navigation periods, even when water levels were low and rocks posed difficulties.

Additionally, he built a 122-kilometer road used for transshipment of goods.

From Moldova Nouă, ships could be loaded efficiently.

After many years, István Széchenyi’s name is once again visible in the Danube Boilers, thanks to an ambitious project initiated by the Hungarian Pro Navigation Association.