Széchenyi’s activities were far from being limited to programme delivery or political activity. Among the results of his multifaceted practical work are those that still exist today, fulfilling their original function: the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is still the central institution of Hungarian science, and the Chain bridge is the visual symbol of Budapest, or its “trademark”. In other areas, such as river control, Danube steam navigation, the construction of the railway network or the establishment of some modern food industries (milling, sugar), he made a decisive contribution to the first steps. He was also instrumental in raising the standard of horse breeding, in the establishment of institutions for social life (casinos) and in the modernisation of sporting activities.
