Matthias Church (Mátyás Templom) or Church of Our Lady in Budapest Castle

The slender main tower of Matthias Church in the heart Buda Castle can be seen from many parts of the city. The church hosted several coronation ceremonies, royal weddings and baptisms and witnessed many turbulent events of Buda.

The Roman Catholic church, also knwon as Church of Our Lady (Nagyboldogasszony templom), was founded by King Béla IV. after the Mongol invaders left Hungary in 1242. Not much remained of the original buildng due to numerous expansions, wars and reconstructions.

Currently the church is undergoing a restoration so not all parts are open to public.

Mathias Church - Basic information

Address: Szentháromság tér 2., Budapest District I., (Buda Castle) Getting there: Castle bus (Vár Busz): No. 16 and 16A-116 from Moszkva tér (termini of trams 4,6, M2 metro also stops there) Opening Hours: the church is usualyl open. Mon-Fri: 9.00-17.00, Sat: 9.00-12.00, Sun: 13.00-17.00, on religious holidays opening hours vary see more on the official site of the church Entrance Fees: adult: 700 HUF, students, pensioners: 480 HUF, children up to 6 yeras of age): free, family ticket: (1-2 adults +children): 1200 HUF

The ticket is valid for visiting the Church and the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art (Egyházművészeti Múzeum) in the crypt.

Brief History of Matthias Church

According to historians a church referred to as Church of Mary stood at the place of the current edifice that was founded by Szent István (Saint Stephen) the first king of Hungary in 1015. There's no archaeological evidence of this early church though. The earliest remains of the church dates back to the 13th century when King Béla IV. (1206-1270) commisioned building a church at castle Hill after the 1241-42 Mongol invasion. The north tower was built at that time (1255-1269).

The oldest part of the building is the Mary Gate (Mária Kapu) at the south entrance was built by King Nagy Lajos (1326-1382) of the Angevin dynasty in the 14th century. The magnifient Gothic stone carving depicts the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Frigyes Sculek reconstructed the gate using parts that survived World War II.

King Sigismund of Luxembourg (Luxemburgi Zsigmond: 1368-1437) enlarged the church. His wedding to Cillei Borbála was held in the church.

Read more about the early history of Buda and Pest at:

Foundation of the Hungarian State

Budapest History in the Early Middle Ages

King Matthias Corvinus (1458-1490)

Matthias was crowned to king of Hungary in the church and his two weddings (the first to Katherine of Podiebrad, the second to Beatrice of Aragon) were also held there. Read more about King Matthias and his reign.

The crest animal of Matthias Corvinus - a raven holding a gold ring in its beak

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Turkish Rule

In 1541 the Turks occupied Buda and turned the Church of Our lady into a mosque. Many artifacts were taken away by them, the beautiful frescos were whitewashed, ornate furnishings were destroyed and discarded. By the end of the siege of Buda in 1686 not much survived the Ottoman years.

Neo-Gothic Church by Frigyes Schulek

A new church was constructed of the remains in Baroque style. In the early 18th century the church suffered more damages and it was finaly restored in Neo-Gothic style by Frigyes Schulek in 1873-96.

The exterior and the frescos originate from this era and are the works of Hungary's greatest artists of the time (Károly Lotz, Bertalan Székely, Mihály Zichy). The marvelous stained windows on the south elevation are the finest examples of the talents of these artists.

The colorful diamond shape roof tiles were also the idea of Schulek.

Most Notable Features of Matthias Church

• Mary Gate (Mária kapu) - the oldest part of the church at the foot of the bell tower in an atrium dates from the 14th century - this is the only real Gothic piece, others our reproductions by Frigyes Schulek. Parts of the gate include signature marks of craft unions of 14th century stone carvers.
  
  
• Bell Tower - the highest spire (60 m) of the church. Its 5 floor are from the 13th-15th century while the top with jagged stone carvings, a balcony and balustardes are the work of Frigyes Schulek. On the third floor of the tower, on the southwest side, there is a duplicate of the shield of King Matthias placed there in 1470 - the original is on display inside the church.
  The church bells are hanging in the chamber behind the shield. Only three of them survived; the biggest one weighs 3.2 tons and can tolls at noon.
  
  
• Béla Tower - it received its name after King Béla IV, the founder of the original church. Multicolored roof tiles cover the building some of which retained its original Gothic style.
  
  

• Main Altar - it is in the middle of the main chancel and is the work of Schulek.
  
  
• St. László Chapel - it is at the end of the northern aisle, fresco scenes by Kárply Lotz depict the highlights of the life of King László (1077-95).
  
  
• St Stephen Chapel - it is next to the chancel and was built by Frigyes Sculek in neo-Gothic style. The seven frescos of St Steven on the walls and twelve windows showing Hungarian saints are all masterpieces by Bertalan Székely.
  
  
• Bottom of the Béla Tower - it includes two Medieval column heads from 1260 - carved stone column heads featuring two monks reading a book and demonic animals fighting with each other.
  
  
• The noon bell - a winged altar painted by Károyl Lotz depicts the victory at Nándorfehérvár and the tradition of noon bell commemorating the event.
  
  
• The royal staircase and oratory - there is an exhibit about the history of the Holy Crown; replica of the Holy Crown of Hungary and other coronation medals are also on display. These objects may seem to be cheap copies, especially compared to detailed photos of the original crown, but they were made back in 1966, on the basis of photographs only, as the Crown was "held hostage" in America, and until its return in 1978, Hungarians could only pilgrimize to see these copies.
  
  
• Maltese Knights Chamber - a 15th century winged altar Madonna statue also from the 15th century and a fresco by Károyl Lotz showing the coronation of Francis Joseph in 1867 are the highlights of the chamber.
  
  
• Loreto Chapel, Madonna Statue- it is next tot he main entrance, a Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary with Christ is here to which Buda's miraculous recapture by the united Christian army in 1686 is attributed.
  
  
• According to the legend when the turks put Buda castle under siege people walled in the statue inside the niche. The Turks didn't find it. In 1686 an explosion demoished the walls around the statue revealing the Virgin's shining face. The Turks took this as an bad omen so thehy gave this part of the castle without fight.
  
  
• Saint Imre Chapel - Szent Imre, son of King St Stephen and heir to the thorne was killed by a wild boar at young age. The altar of the side chapel shows scenes form his life.
  
  
• Tomb of King Béla III and Anne de Châtillon - the remains of the royal couple were brought here from Székesfehérvár Cathedral in 1860.
  
  
• Crypt - it includes part of the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art. The crypt can be accessed by steps to the right of the main altar.
  
  
• Museum of Ecclesiastical Art - the collection contains monstrances, chalices and other treasures of religious importance. The exhibit starts in the crypt and leads up the St Stephen Chapel. Admission is included in the church entrance fee.

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Organ Concerts

The church frequently houses organ concerts. The Matthias Church Choir and Orchestra is one of the oldest music company in Hungary, operating continuously from 1688.

Sights, Attractions Near Matthias Church

Fishermen's Bastion (Halászbástya) - designed by Frigyes Schulek between 1895-1902 in neo-Romanesque neo-Gothic style. The 7 towers represent the seven tribes of Hungarians when they settled down by the Danube in the Carpathian basin in 896. Fishermen's Bastion never was used for military defensive purposes it was created for only decorative reasons. The building has many turrets, terraces, parapets and stairways offering an exceptional view of the Pest side and the river Danube.

There's a small entrance fee (cc. 300-400 HUF) if you want to go up the terraces. You can take a rest in the cafe at the southern end during the tourist season.

Statue of St Stephen - a bronze statue of King St Stephen stands next to the bastion.

Holy Trinity Statue (Szentháromság szobor) - it stands next to Matthias church

Aranysas (Golden Eagle) Pharmacy Museum - the Baroque building with the wrought-iron sign above the entrance at 18., Tárnok utca houses the Castle District's oldest pharmacy that opened in 1745. You can learn about the history of pharmacies, see original furnishings and tools of a medieval pharmacy.

Admission: adults: 700 HUF, students, pensioners: 350 HUF, 20% discount for Budapest Card holders.

Open: 16 Mar - 30 Oct: Tue-Sun 10.30-17.30; 1 Nov - 15 Mar: Tue-Sun 10.30-15.30

TIP: see a list of other museums in Budapest.

Cafes, Restaurants Close to Matthais Church

Ruszwurm (Szentháromság utca 7.) - claims to be the oldest confectionery in the city. Offers creamy tortes (Dobos torte), cakes and pastries. Read more about Ruszwurm Cafe.

Walzer Cafe - one of the best places for good espresso, cappuccino of other coffee drinks. Fresh, roasted coffee beans from various parts of the world are used.

Rétesvár Strudel Shop - this small bakery shop specializing in traditional strudel is in a narrow passage way between Tárnok utca and Úri utca.

21 Magyar Hungarian Restaurant - one of the best places to enjoy the delights of Hungarian cuisine and sip Hungarian wines.

TIP: see more tips on Hungarian Restaurants in Budapest.

Hotels In the Vicinity of Matthias Church

Being a major tourist attraction Buda castle offers some good hotels to stay at.

St. George Residence Hotel *****

The St George Residence Hotel in Fortuna utca is ideal for a romantic stay. This historic boutique hotel is hosued in a renovated Baroque house built on medieval foundations. Suites in four catgeories, a Gothic style restaurant, cafe & bar and a wine cellar ensure for complete relaxation in a historic environment.

See more tips on Romantic Budapest Hotels

Hilton Budapest *****

The Hilton stands right next to Matthias Church. The hotel building inlcudes the restored remains of a 13th century Dominican cloister that hosts concerts in the summer. See other 5-star hotels in Budapest.

Lánchíd 19 Design Hotel

This boutique hotel at the foot of Castle Hill has excellent location. It also offers convenient accommodation in modern style rooms. Read more about Lánchíd 19 Boutique Hotel.

See more Boutique Hotels in Budapest.

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